Victoria Azarenka was so focused on beating Serena Williams in the US Open that she didn't flinch when a fly walked across her face

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Victoria Azarenka was so focused on beating Serena Williams in the US Open that she didn't flinch when a fly walked across her face
Victoria Azarenka maintains focus even as a bug crawls across her face during a break in her match against Serena Williams on September 10.US Open/ESPN
  • Victoria Azarenka staged a comeback to beat Serena Williams in the US Open quarterfinals, earning her first Grand Slam finals appearance in seven years.
  • When Williams took a time-out during the final set, Azarenka was so intent on maintaining focus that she didn't flinch when a fly walked across her face.
  • Azarenka said that ability to "bring the intensity up" allowed her to climb back into the match after Williams' 4-0 start in the first set.
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Beating the best tennis player in the history of the game is no easy feat. That pressure wasn't lost on Victoria Azarenka as she mounted an epic comeback against Serena Williams during their US Open quarterfinal matchup on Thursday.

The Belarusian veteran said she resolved to "bring the intensity up" after Williams jumped to an early 4-0 lead in the first set. That intensity manifested in unbreakable focus for Azarenka, helping her climb out of the hole. But it also resulted in a rather bizarre moment in the third set.

Williams took a medical time-out one game into the set after tweaking her left Achilles tendon. Azarenka was so intent on maintaining her concentration that she sat with her eyes closed as trainers rewrapped her opponent's foot. When the cameras panned to the 31-year-old during the broadcast, they captured a fly walking across the bridge of Azarenka's nose — and she didn't even flinch.

"Concern for Serena, zen for Vika," ESPN announcer Chris Fowler said on the broadcast.

After the match, a WTA reporter asked Azarenka what she thought about as she sat with her eyes closed during those moments.

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"Absolutely nothing," Azarenka responded, adding, "That's my goal."

Victoria Azarenka was so focused on beating Serena Williams in the US Open that she didn't flinch when a fly walked across her face
Victoria Azarenka staged an epic comeback against Serena Williams, winning 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 to advance to her first Grand Slam finals in seven years.Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

That steely resolve undoubtedly fueled Azarenka's stunning comeback against Williams, one of the fiercest competitors tennis has ever seen. Azarenka exploded out of the gates to secure the second set six games to three, then took over in the final third.

"Intensity was important today to bring it up," she said. "I'm glad that worked out for me."

She acknowledged that Williams "dug me in a big hole in the first set — I had to climb my way out of there one by one."

But Azarenka added: "We both know that the match is never over. I knew it wasn't going to be over at 5-3 either. I've been there before, so today was going to be different."

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She has another tough battle ahead though — against world No. 4 Naomi Osaka in the US Open final on Saturday. The pair have met three times before, with the 22-year-old superstar besting Azarenka head-to-head two matches to one.

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