Dhaka, Sept. 12 -- Former world number one Victoria Azarenka of Belarus rallied to beat 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams of the United States in the US Open on Thursday to reach her first Grand Slam final since 2013, where she will play 2018 champion Naomi Osaka.

"Seven is my favorite number, so I guess it's meant to be," Azarenka said, joking about the gap between major final appearances. "I'm very grateful for this opportunity, to be able to play such a champion in a semifinal. The road to the final requires you to beat the best players, and today was definitely that day."

Two-time Grand Slam winner Azarenka seemed headed for an agonizing loss after being hammered 6-1 by Williams in the first set, but the 31-year-old turned...