Victoria Azarenka dashed Serena Williams’ hopes of making it to the final of the 2020 U.S. Open after defeating her on Thursday, September 9, 2020.
Williams struggled to keep with the fast pace of the semi-final as she stopped behind the baseline after a third-set point and leaned over, maintaining that pose as she clutched her lower leg and called for a trainer.
When the action resumed, she raised the force of her shots but it was Azarenka who finished off a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory to a major championship final for the first time since 2013.
Speaking after the game, Williams stated: “Maybe I took a little too much off the gas pedal at some point.”
She added:
“Obviously, disappointed, but at the same time, I did what I could today. Other times, I’ve been close and I could have done better. Today, I gave a lot. I don’t think that [her leg] had anything to do with it. Ultimately, it didn’t affect my play at all.”
