Azarenka sets up Serena semifinal showdown at US Open

Victoria Azarenka lost just one game against Elise Mertens to return to the semifinals of a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2013 US Open and set up her 23rd career meeting with Serena Williams.

One of the most iconic WTA photos ever: Trophy ceremony at the 2016 BNP Paribas OpenThe unseeded Azarenka fired 21 winners to 11 unforced errors in her dominant 6-1 6-0 win over the 16th-seeded Mertens in their first career meeting. The Belarusian former world No.1, who won the “Cincinnati” title on the same venue a week and a half ago, loves playing the game more than ever:

I don’t think I have ever enjoyed tennis, to be quite honest. I felt that it was a job and something you were meant to…