Serena Williams Reaches U.S. Open Final

Serena Williams in Miami, Florida during a Tennis match., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Serena Williams reaches U.S. Open final; she'll face No. 1 seed Victoria Azarenka

September 8, 2012
Detroit Free Press News Services

NEW YORK -- Thanks to her latest easy victory, Serena Williams is one match from her fourth U.S. Open title and 15th Grand Slam trophy overall.

Williams wasted little time or energy while overwhelming 10th-seeded Sara Errani of Italy, 6-1, 6-2, on Friday night to reach the final at Flushing Meadows.

Building a 38-6 edge in winners and smacking nine aces to raise her tournament-leading total to 50, Williams needed only 64 minutes to dismiss Errani, the runner-up at the French Open.

Not only has Williams won every set she has played over the last two weeks, she has dropped only 19 games across six matches. It's part of a stretch of dominance that has carried her to a 25-1 record since a shocking first-round exit at the French Open in late May, the only time in 49 Grand Slam appearances that Williams lost her opening match.

Her recent surge includes titles at Wimbledon and the London Olympics.

"It's really awesome," Williams said in an on-court interview. "That is what I wanted, and what I dreamed of, all year."

It was 12 months ago that the American was stunned in straight sets the U.S. Open final by Sam Stosur. Williams' championships in New York came in 1999, 2002 and 2008.

In tonight's final, she will face top-ranked Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, who beat Maria Sharapova, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, earlier Friday. Williams is 9-1 against Azarenka.

"Obviously, Victoria wants to win, too," Williams told the crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium. "But I'm American, guys. Last one standing. Go USA!"

Men's doubles: Bob and Mike Bryan won the U.S. Open men's doubles title for a record 12th Grand Slam championship. The American twins had been tied with Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde for the most in the Open era, which started in 1968. The second-seeded Bryans beat Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek, 6-3, 6-4.

More Details: U.S. Open

When: Through Sunday.

Where: Flushing Meadows, N.Y.

Friday’s semifinals

1 Victoria Azarenka beat 3 Maria Sharapova.

4 Serena Williams beat 10 Sara Errani.

Today’s final

• 8 p.m. (CBS).

Today’s semifinals

2 Novak Djokovic vs. 4 David Ferrer.

3 Andy Murray vs. 6 Tomas Berdych.

• Noon (CBS).

Sunday’s final

• 4 p.m. (CBS).