<p>There is no secret to beating Serena Williams, says her US Open semi-final opponent Victoria Azarenka, the only chance to win is to fight hard, execute well and remember the 23-times Grand Slam champion is never out of it, no matter the score.</p>.<p>Azarenka, 31, set up the semi-final clash against Williams with a 6-1 6-0 demolition of Belgium's 16th seed Elise Mertens on Wednesday.</p>.<p>While she has a 4-18 career record against Williams, the Belarusian was one of the few players who consistently challenged the American when in her prime from 2012-16.</p>.<p>"It's just a good execution and being able to fight for every ball," a smiling Azarenka said.</p>.<p>She made it clear to reporters there was no secret to beating Williams -- though added that even if there was she would not be sharing it.</p>.<p>"We had so many great battles when I won or when I lost. A lot of good matches," she added.</p>.<p>"I always know one thing: the match is never over. No matter what the score is, the match is never going to be over."</p>.<p>It will be Azarenka's first Grand Slam semi-final since 2013 when she went on to make her second successive final against Williams at Flushing Meadows.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/tennis/silence-is-a-sweet-sound-for-the-underdogs-at-the-us-open-884685.html" target="_blank">Silence is a sweet sound for the underdogs at the US Open</a></strong></p>.<p>Williams won both those finals, which are part of her 10-0 record against Azarenka in Grand Slams, but the Belarusian only had fond memories of playing the American.</p>.<p>"I like playing against the best," she said. "That's where you see yourself, your level, the biggest challenge.</p>.<p>"There's no one as tough mentally as Serena.</p>.<p>"I think we've built a lot of memories to remember. There's been a lot of great matches."</p>
<p>There is no secret to beating Serena Williams, says her US Open semi-final opponent Victoria Azarenka, the only chance to win is to fight hard, execute well and remember the 23-times Grand Slam champion is never out of it, no matter the score.</p>.<p>Azarenka, 31, set up the semi-final clash against Williams with a 6-1 6-0 demolition of Belgium's 16th seed Elise Mertens on Wednesday.</p>.<p>While she has a 4-18 career record against Williams, the Belarusian was one of the few players who consistently challenged the American when in her prime from 2012-16.</p>.<p>"It's just a good execution and being able to fight for every ball," a smiling Azarenka said.</p>.<p>She made it clear to reporters there was no secret to beating Williams -- though added that even if there was she would not be sharing it.</p>.<p>"We had so many great battles when I won or when I lost. A lot of good matches," she added.</p>.<p>"I always know one thing: the match is never over. No matter what the score is, the match is never going to be over."</p>.<p>It will be Azarenka's first Grand Slam semi-final since 2013 when she went on to make her second successive final against Williams at Flushing Meadows.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/tennis/silence-is-a-sweet-sound-for-the-underdogs-at-the-us-open-884685.html" target="_blank">Silence is a sweet sound for the underdogs at the US Open</a></strong></p>.<p>Williams won both those finals, which are part of her 10-0 record against Azarenka in Grand Slams, but the Belarusian only had fond memories of playing the American.</p>.<p>"I like playing against the best," she said. "That's where you see yourself, your level, the biggest challenge.</p>.<p>"There's no one as tough mentally as Serena.</p>.<p>"I think we've built a lot of memories to remember. There's been a lot of great matches."</p>