US Open 2013: Victoria Azarenka beats Flavia Pennetta to reach finals

New York, Sep 7 (IANS)

Victoria Azarenka (L) of Belarus shakes hands with Flavia Pennetta of Italy after Azarenka won 6-4, 6-2 during the 2013 US Open women’s singles semifinals at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center September 6, 2013 in New York. (STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)

Second seed Victoria Azarenka beat unseeded Italian veteran Flavia Pennetta 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the women’s singles final at the US Open here in Flushing Meadows.

It was the second straight time for the 24-year-old Belarusian to reach US Open final after the runner-up show last year. It was also her first victory against Pennetta since 2010, reports Xinhua.

Azarenka broke Pennetta in the very first game Friday only to see Pennetta break back in the second. Azarenka had a chance to serve out the first set at 5-4. The second seed wasted five set points but still took the sixth to finish the set 6-4.

The second set almost went on the same route as the first. Azarenka accomplished a break again in the first game and Pennetta broke back. However, Pennetta failed to keep her second service game allowing Azarenka a 3-1 lead. The winner of the Australian Open won three of the following four games to end the match 6-2.

Azarenka will meet Serena Williams in the final on Sunday.