Photos from Flushing Meadows: Day 12

Is she chasing down a drop shot, or coming out of the backfield?

NEW YORK—The tournament narrowed to its final four women on Friday. Like much of the rest of this U.S. Open, the competition left something to be desired, but we got the final we wanted. Here’s a look at yesterday’s wins by Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka, as well as the wheelchair tournament that’s in full swing on the grounds. (Photos by Anita Aguilar)

Nobody gets ready as sleekly as Serena.

See what I mean?

Is she chasing down a drop shot, or coming out of the backfield?

Serena had Li Na on the run...

...and playing defense from game 1. Li said that her side of the court felt like it was the size of a football field.

Victoria Azarenka hops into a forehand. Vika beat Flavia Pennetta to reach her second straight U.S. Open final.

Most coaches say you should use a loose grip, and it appears that Pennetta listened.

The 31-year-old Pennetta, who contemplated retirement earlier this year, reached her first Grand Slam semifinal.

Sabine Ellerbrock shows that the expressions and emotions—i.e., the anguish—of tennis are the same everywhere. Still, she and her doubles partner, Yui Kamiji, won yesterday.

Marjolein Buis and Lusy Sugaer show off their court coverage.

Venus and Serena Williams, winners of nearly 50 percent of the doubles tournaments they’ve entered in their careers, suffered a surprising semifinal loss yesterday to...

...Lucie Hradecka and Andrea Hlavackova of the Czech Republic. The Hs don’t appear to be on the same emotional page here, but they put a great match together.

Serena Williams will go for her fifth U.S. Open title on Sunday.

Michael Jeremiasz and Maikel Scheffers, winners on Friday, go in for a bump.

Caption Contest:

!

"You can’t win them all."

—Michael, via email

Serena had Li Na on the run...

...and playing defense from game 1. Li said that her side of the court felt like it was the size of a football field.

Victoria Azarenka hops into a forehand. Vika beat Flavia Pennetta to reach her second straight U.S. Open final.

Most coaches say you should use a loose grip, and it appears that Pennetta listened.

The 31-year-old Pennetta, who contemplated retirement earlier this year, reached her first Grand Slam semifinal.

Sabine Ellerbrock shows that the expressions and emotions—i.e., the anguish—of tennis are the same everywhere. Still, she and her doubles partner, Yui Kamiji, won yesterday.

Marjolein Buis and Lusy Sugaer show off their court coverage.

Venus and Serena Williams, winners of nearly 50 percent of the doubles tournaments they’ve entered in their careers, suffered a surprising semifinal loss yesterday to...

...Lucie Hradecka and Andrea Hlavackova of the Czech Republic. The Hs don’t appear to be on the same emotional page here, but they put a great match together.

Serena Williams will go for her fifth U.S. Open title on Sunday.

Michael Jeremiasz and Maikel Scheffers, winners on Friday, go in for a bump.

Caption Contest:

!

"You can’t win them all."

—Michael, via email