NEW YORK — Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka stormed into the final of the US Open with crushing victories in Friday's semis to set up a classic showdown between the greatest player of her generation and the current world No. 1. Serena was at her ruthless best as she demolished Italian Sara Errani 6-1, 6-2 to continue her golden summer, while Azarenka was no less impressive as she clawed her way out of trouble to beat Maria Sharapova 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 at Flushing Meadows. With momentum on her side after winning a fifth Wimbledon title in July then the Olympic singles and doubles events at the London Games, Serena will start Sunday's final as the overwhelming favorite. Their Saturday final was postponed until Sunday because of weather forecast. “I think it will probably be the best summer I've ever had,” she said. “It will be up there because if you win the Olympics and Wimbledon and this, it would be kinda cool.” Few players have ever been able to keep pace with Serena when she is fit and in form and Azarenka knows the enormity of the challenge she faces. The Belarusian has been the most consistent player in the world this year and won her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January but her previous results against Serena have been poor, with the American winning nine of their 10 clashes. “She's the toughest opponent there is in the draw,” said Azarenka. “And being in the final makes it even more difficult so it's definitely gonna be a tough one.” Despite the hurdles she faces, Azarenka is not without hope. The 23-year-old is a player on the rise with plenty of big weapons and nerves like steel. She beat the defending champion Sam Stosur in a deciding third set tiebreak to make the semis then came from a set and a service break down to defeat Sharapova, who won the French Open in June to complete her collection of Grand Slam titles. The Russian dominated most of the match but paid the price for her aggressive approach. She hit 44 winners and eight aces, but the flipside was her 42 unforced errors and 10 double faults, a recurring problem she has had for years. “I gave her too many free points,” Sharapova said. “When I had my opportunities I don't think I took them.” Sharapova, one of just three women to beat Serena in a Grand Slam final, did however offer some words of encouragement to Azarenka. “No matter who is going in there as the favorite, no matter how confident they are, everyone has a chance,” Sharapova said. “She's number one in the world and there is no reason why she shouldn't have a chance.” Even so, the odds are still heavily stacked in favor of Serena, who already has 14 Grand Slam titles, including three from the US Open. She has not dropped a single set on her way to the final and has got better and better with each match, giving Errani, runner-up at the French Open this year, little chance. “I think she is incredible,” the Italian said. “When she plays like this, I think she's the best player in the world.” At age 34, the Bryan brothers, meanwhile, posed with the trophy with Bob's infant daughter and chatted about Mike's upcoming wedding. They've now set the Open-era Grand Slam title record, but the pair doesn't plan to stop adding to that total anytime soon. The American twins won the US Open men's doubles final in straight sets Friday for a 12th Grand Slam championship. They had been tied with Australian greats Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde for the most in the Open era, which started in 1968. “We looked up to the Woodies, and to steal all their records is unbelievable,” Mike said. “They're one of the reasons we play doubles.” The Bryans, seeded No. 2, beat Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-4 without facing a break point. Last month, they achieved their biggest goal of 2012 by winning their first Olympic gold medals at the London Games. “It did take pressure off,” Mike said. “We talked about it before each match. We're like, ‘Let's swing free. We have the gold.' We came into this probably a little fatigued and just running on adrenaline from the Olympics. We could see the finish line.” — Agencies
