Welcome to live text updates of the second women's semi-final at the US Open between Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka.

WILLIAMS 6-1 1-1 AZARENKA - There is a real steel about Azarenka as always when she is at her best and that has been apparent at this US Open. After a poor opening set she shows some now and holds at the start of the second.

WILLIAMS 6-1 1-0 AZARENKA - Williams is just in the groove and in her comfort zone at the moment and she holds serve to lead in the second set. Now Azarenka cannot afford to be broken here.

WILLIAMS 6-1 AZARENKA - SET! Wow, that was seriously fast. Just 34 minutes have elapsed and Williams has already wrapped up the opening set. A dynamic and dominant first-set performance. Now, can Azarenka respond?

WILLIAMS 5-1 AZARENKA - Williams is challenged for the first time on serve really as Azarenka forces an extended game, but the hold eventually comes all the same and the American is just a game away from the first set.

WILLIAMS 4-1 AZARENKA - Finally Azarenka gets on the board, and it's very belated. She really needs to settle quickly and this will hopefully enable her to establish herself.

WILLIAMS 4-0 AZARENKA - We've barely started this match, but already Williams is almost the winner of the opening set. Again she dominates on serve and Azarenka is looking at the second set already.

WILLIAMS 3-0 AZARENKA - This is a really fast start from Williams, who assumes a very strong lead already in this opening set. Azarenka really is not able to compete so far.

WILLIAMS 2-0 AZARENKA - Serena consolidates her break of serve and what a start this is from her! Azarenka is slow to settle, but she must now establish herself on serve in this opening set.

WILLIAMS 1-0 AZARENKA - Wow, what a start from Serena! She breaks instantly and Azarenka is very slow to start in this match. The American stamps her authority on proceedings immediately.

In the first semi-final, Naomi Osaka sealed her place in the US Open showpiece with a 7-6 3-6 6-3 victory over Jennifer Brady.

Williams, the third seed, is eyeing a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam triumph, and this video should tee things up nicely for what she will be attempting to achieve if she reaches Saturday's final...