The 2012 U.S. Open saw plenty of action Friday as Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka each advanced to the women's final while Americans Bob and Mike Bryan captured their fourth U.S. Open doubles title on the men's side.
No. 3 Maria Sharapova lost to the 23-year-old Azarenka 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the semifinal match. In the final set, it took Azarenka until late in the match to finally break Sharapova en route to the win. Ironically, it was Sharapova who had the best numbers -- hitting 43 winners against just 18 from Azarenka.
Williams had a much easier time in defeating Italian Sara Errani 6-1, 6-2 in a match that lasted just over an hour and propelled the American to the final match vs. Azarenka. The 64-minute match took less time to complete than the entire third set of the Sharapova-Azarenka duel.
Meanwhile, the brothers Bryan willed their way to another U.S. Open victory by defeating No. 5 seed Leander Paes of India and Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-4.
Williams is 9-1 against Azarenka, and enters the match playing some of her best tennis of the season.
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