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U.S. Open: Serena Williams passes test against Victoria Azarenka

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Serena Williams, who was up a set and a break, withstood a furious rally from fourth-seeded Victoria Azarenka and advanced to the fourth round of the U.S. Open with a 6-1, 7-6 (5) win that took 1 hour, 50 minutes and featured powerful rallies filled with shots of startling accuracy and power from both women.

Williams -- whose ranking (28th) suffered during her nearly year-long absence from tennis due to injuries beginning in July of 2010 -- seemed to have won the match in the ninth game of the final set when she had Azarenka down 30-40 as the Belorussian was serving. Williams hit a forehand that appeared to have just hit the sideline. Williams and Azarenka began walking off the court, but a lines person had called the ball out. Williams asked for a review, and the replay showed that Williams’ shot was out.

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From there, Azarenka held serve to stay in the match and broke Williams, whose concentration seemed rattled, in the next game to tie the second set at 5-5 and send the match to a tiebreak.

“She started to get better at that 5-3 game,” Williams said. “All I was thinking was, ‘Man, at least I won the first set, worst case scenario.”

Williams had 12 aces and 39 winners, to 24 for Azarenka.

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-- Diane Pucin in New York

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