No. 1 Serena Williams will defend her title against No. 2 Victoria Azarenka, who struggled at times but held on to beat Flavia Pennetta, 6-4, 6-2 earlier Friday. Azarenka has beaten Williams twice this year on hardcourts.
Williams seeks her fifth US Open crown in her seventh final, her 21st career Grand Slam final. She will be also aiming for her 17th major championship, having earned a French Open title since last September. Azarenka successfully defended her Australian Open title in January.
Despite Azarenka's success against Williams this year, Williams should still enter Sunday's match as the overwhelming favorite, the 31-year-old American is playing arguably the best tennis of her career. Williams advanced to Sunday's U.S. Open final after a commanding six-match stretch, capped by Friday's 6-0, 6-3 win against China's Li Na. She has yet to lose a set and has conceded the fewest games through six matches - just 16, compared with the 40 lost by Azarenka.
Sunday's TV Schedule (EST):
6:30am-12:30pm US Open Daily Match Encores, Tennis Channel
12:30pm-2:30pm Men's Doubles Final, ESPN2
4:30pm-7pm Women's Singles Final, CBS
8:30pm-9:30pm Sports Center at the US Open, ESPN2
9:30pm-1:30amUS Open Daily Match Encores, Tennis Channel
The U.S. Open action live stream will be available via U.S. Open Live or Watch ESPN. A full schedule may be found at the Open website.
