Serena meets Azarenka in final

NEW YORK - Serena Williams thrashed Italy’s Sara Errani 6-1 6-2 to reach her sixth US Open final, where she will play top seed Victoria Azarenka.

Sunday, September 09, 2012
Serena hasn't dropped a set in her run to the finals, where she'll take on top-ranked Victoria Azarenka (R). Net photo

NEW YORK - Serena Williams thrashed Italy’s Sara Errani 6-1 6-2 to reach her sixth US Open final, where she will play top seed Victoria Azarenka.The 14-time Grand Slam champion, who won Olympic singles gold at London 2012, dispatched 10th seed Errani in just 64 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium.Williams has lost just one of the 26 matches she has played since her French Open first-round defeat on 29 May. She will bid for a fourth New York title against Azarenka on Sunday.Belarusian world number one Azarenka came from a set down to beat Maria Sharapova in Friday’s opening semi-final."The best three players of the tournament were the three Grand Slam winners of the season. But only one can now collect a double major return from 2012.”Azarenka will hope to cause a huge upset with victory over Williams, who goes into the match as the overwhelming favourite.The American has dropped only 19 games in six rounds and is hoping to avenge her loss to Sam Stosur in the 2011 showpiece."It’s awesome to be back in the final again,” said 30-year-old Williams. "I dreamt about this all year and I’m really happy."It would be great to win again, but Victoria also wants it. I love playing here. It’s always an honour and such a pleasure.”