Serena Williams Knocked Out Of The US Open After a Wild Comeback From Victoria Azarenka!
Down goes Serena Williams! Another year, another attempt that comes up just short at grand slam number 24. Even with a shortened field Serena fails to reach the finals where Osaka waited for the highly anticipated rematch. Hate to see it. Nope, instead it'll be Victoria Azarenka as she pulls off a wild come from behind win to knock out the number 3 seed.
Vika was dead after the first, losing it 6-1 and being completely dominated. I mean Serena was doing literally anything she wanted. Azarenka gained momentum outta nowhere in the 2nd set and just took it to Serena. Despite Serena calling for the trainer late to tend to an "injured ankle" (skeptical she was even hurt) Vika was able to keep it together and serve out the final set. When I saw the line this morning I thought it screamed fish. Azarenka -140??? Taking Serena was the biggest sucker move possible. Always believe in the fishy line.
In case you don't know, and I'm guessing you probably don't, Azarenka has had a crazy journey to get back to this point. The former world number 1 and Australian Open champion gave birth to her son in 2016. She split from her husband and engaged in an ugly custody battle that would last almost a year. She missed a good amount of tournaments the following year, but eventually won the exhausting battle. Since then it's been a mixed bag of results that haven't resulted in much, until now. Vika is back. Since the tour has resumed post-covid, Azarenka has won 11 straight matches, including the Western and Southern Open title a few weeks ago. Now she's in the US Open final facing Naomi Osaka. I think Osaka destroys her, but it's hard to count out Azarenka right now.
This was her first win over Serena in a grand slam. If you've read my stuff on Serena you know I'm not a fan. Her on court antics just downright suck and make her un-rootable. The way she handles the media too. It all stinks. I don't know what to tell ya, just cause you're American doesn't mean I have to root for you. Gimme Anisimova, Keys, Sloane, Kenin, Venus, Coco, or Brady over her any day.
I doubt you watched any of this because of football, but here's a good refresher.
And that was talking tennis.