Serena Williams vs Victoria Azarenka Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA US Open

Prediction published on 10/09/2020, 07:02  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 10/09/2020 at 08:02 in Tennis Predictions

Victoria Azarenka is unseeded but it is she who is the favourite to beat Serena Williams and reach the US Open final. Azarenka was the world number one eight years ago, but is in fantastic form at present. At the start of this tournament, Azarenka was ranked 27th in the world, a rise of 32 places after her victory in the Western & Southern Open. She won the final by walkover (Osaki, who may well be her opponent in the US Open final withdrew due to injury) but had been playing well all week. The 31-year old defeated Johanna Konta, Donna Vekic, Caroline Garcia and Ons Jabeur, all in the top 50. This is her first US Open semi-final since 2015 but in both 2012 and 2013, she reached the final of this tournament and on both occasions, it was Serena who beat her. Azarenka was in stunning form in the quarter finals as she disposed of 16th seeded Elise Mertens for the loss of just one game. Only Karolina Muchova in the last 16 has taken a set off the Bulgarian.

Serena Williams may have a few words with her sister before this match. That's because Venus beat Azarenka earlier this year, though Victoria has shown great improvement since that match. Serena is the number three seed and still chasing that Grand Slam win that will take her level with Margaret Court. It's not been an easy route through to the last four for the American. The quarter final saw her having to come from behind to get the win over Tsvetsana Pironkova. That was the third match in a row where Williams has had to go to the final set after wins against Sloane Stephens and Maria Sakkari. Williams is still one of the top players in the game but if Azarenka keeps playing the way she has, it's the Bulgarian who is going to reach the final.