Unseeded Azarenka stuns Serena Williams, forges US Open final duel vs Osaka

MANILA, Philippines – Unseeded Belarusian Victoria Azarenka completed a three-set upset of third-seeded Serena Williams, 1-6, 6-3, 6-3, in the US Open women's singles semifinal on Thursday (Friday, Manila time).

After bowing to the favored Williams in a lopsided opening set, Azarenka went on fire to take two straight sets and forge a showdown with fourth-seed Naomi Osaka in the finals.

Williams faltered in the third set, with a foot injury weighing the 38-year-old down.

Azarenka went on an unanswered 3-0 start to the third and deciding set, and the 23-time Grand Slam champion just couldn't get over the hump.

Williams remains on the hunt for her record-tying 24th Grand Slam title. She has yet to win a Grand Slam since coming back from her pregnancy.

In the earlier semifinal, Osaka eked out a three-set victory over American Jennifer Brady, 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 6-3, to reach her second US Open final in three years.

The Men's Doubles Final was also played on Thursday (Friday in Manila), with Mate Pavic and Nikola Mektic besting Bruno Soares and Wesley Koolhof, 7-5, 6-3, for the title.