Hours before Williams overpowered Li, the 2011 French Open champion and one of the few players with the power to hang on the court with the world's No. 1, Azarenka won a push-fest against Pennetta.

Serena Williams enjoyed her best start at this year’s US Open on Thursday but it was a familiar foe, Victoria Azarenka, who finished the stronger to halt her friend and fellow mom’s quest for ...

Williams, trying to become the first 30-year-old woman to win the U.S. Open since Martina Navratilova in 1987, compiled a 38-6 edge in winners in her 64-minute semifinal against Errani.

Azarenka had another break and Williams, soon to reach age 39, had another Grand Slam chance fixing to expire. "I haven't thought about that actually," Williams said disconsolately.

Azarenka staged an epic comeback against Serena Williams, winning 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 to advance to her first Grand Slam finals in seven years. Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports ...

Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, reacts during a semifinal match against Serena Williams, of the United States, during the US Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, in New York.

Serena Williams celebrates winning the first set against Victoria Azarenka during their second round match of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 08, 2019.

Williams had an 8-0 record against Azarenka at the majors before this match, including a 2010 Australian Open encounter in which she stormed from a set and 4-0 down to win.

Victoria Azarenka may have lost her No. 1 ranking, but the Belarusian star did bag her 16th career title by defeating Serena Williams in the final at the 2013 Qatar Open to win the tournament.