Victoria Azarenka continued her post-restart stellar run with another victory and a victory against Serena Williams is always noteworthy. It's even more noteworthy when it's in the final of a grand slam let alone the US Open. So when she was asked about the 7-year gap between grand slam finals appearance she jokingly said:

"Seven is my favourite number, so I guess it's meant to be. I'm very grateful for this opportunity, to be able to play such a champion in a semifinal. The road to the final requires you to beat the best players, and today was definitely that day."

Speaking about the match itself Azarenka admitted to being fully focused until the end:

"I knew it's never over, and I said that before the match. I didn't think it was over even when I led 5-3 in the third, because I've been there before!"

And she has, right here at the 2012 US Open where she lead 5-3 in the final set against Williams and ultimately lost. She remembered that loss commenting:

"I was young. My ego was way too big. Now it's a little smaller, and the results are coming."

The job won't get any easier for Azarenka who is set to face Naomi Osaka in the final, a player that has won this event not so long ago. Speaking on that upcoming match she said:

"I'm so excited to play her because we were supposed to play last week. It's going to be super fun. She plays incredibly. I watched her semifinal a little today, and they had some incredible rallies. She's super powerful, so I'll have to stay strong and have fun. Playing a final is a blessing and a great opportunity, so I'll take all the fun out of it."

https://twitter.com/usopen/status/1304266244615540738