Playing Serena Williams brings out the best in me, says Victoria Azarenka ahead of US Open semi-final clash

The statistics do not suggest an even rivalry, but Victoria Azarenka was always one of the few players that could rattle Serena Williams in her pomp.

And the Belarusian has the opportunity to reduce her 18-4 career deficit against Williams after both women booked their spots in the semi-finals of the US Open last night.

Azarenka dropped just one game in defeating Elise Mertens, while Williams was forced into three sets by Tsvetana Pironkova for the American to edge ever close to Margaret Court’s record 24 Grand Slam title wins.

To have hopes of edging past Azarenka, Williams admitted: “I’ve just got to be a little bit better really and just expect people to go lights out and just be ready for lights out.”

There are parallels between the players: both took time out from the game for the birth of their children and initially struggled to get back to their peak.

And for Azarenka, there is no bigger challenge. Of the prospect of a 23rd career meeting, she said: “It’s very simple. I like playing against the best. That’s where you see yourself, your level, the biggest challenge. There’s no one as tough mentally as Serena.

“We always played on big stages, it was a lot of big fights. She’s one of the players who push me to the limit, who makes me better.”

The head to head between Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev has been nowhere near as epic, but the joint favourites for the US Open title will meet in the semi-finals after winning their respective matches.

Thiem made light work of Alex di Minaur 6-1, 6-2, 6-4, while last year’s runner-up, Medvedev, defeated childhood friend Andrey Rublev 7-6, 6-3, 7-6.

Both have Grand Slam final experience, but Thiem is confident his three Grand Slam final outings will aid his cause.

“These are great memories, the Slams I went deep into, even though I lost three finals,” he said. “They were great for me. I look back at them now and check out what I can improve. I hope these experiences help me in this US Open.”

Read more

Thiem brushes aside de Minaur to set up US Open semi-final vs Medvedev

Azarenka stuns Mertens to set up US Open semi-final vs Serena Williams

Medvedev cruises into US Open semi-finals with win over Rublev

Serena Williams beats Pironkova to reach US Open semi-finals