Serena Williams: 3-Time US Open Champion a Lock to Win Her 4th Title

There isn’t a woman in the world that is playing better tennis than Serena Williams.

The three-time US Open champion has cruised through the competition on her way to the finals, yet to drop a single set at this year’s tournament.

Her opposition, Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, has been tested constantly on her path to what will not only be her second major final of the year,  but also of her career.

Azarenka had to rebound from a set and break down to four-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova to advance to the final match, beating Sharapova 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.

The two have met 10 times, with Azarenka’s only triumph over Williams coming back in 2008 in Miami when she bested Serena in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1.

Back then, Williams was the top-ranked woman in the world while Azarenka was 10th.

Now, the roles are reversed, with Azarenka in the top spot while Serena sits at No. 4.

They’ve met three times in 2012 with Williams getting the better of Azarenka at each stop, most recently at the Summer Olympics in London, where Williams dispatched Azarenka in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2.

Azarenka has had a much more physically demanding run in Flushing Meadows than Williams has, and the grind and wear-and-tear is unquestionably something that could come into play on Saturday.

Couple that with Serena’s easy path to the final match and a history of dominance over her opponent, and it’s easy to see how this one is going to play out.

Serena Williams will win her fourth US Open title, the cherry on top of the sundae that has been a resurgent year in the career of this future Hall of Famer.