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Serena Williams vs. Ekaterina Makarova: U.S. Open Semifinal

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Serena Williams vs. EkaterinaMakarova

Top-seeded Serena Williams and No. 17. ranked Ekaterina Makarova play Friday afternoon at Arthur Ashe Stadium. ​

Williams and Makarova have played each other four times. Makarova's only win came in the fourth round of the 2012 Australian Open. Most recently, Williams won 7-6, 6-0, in Dubai this year.

either Williams nor Makarova have dropped a set in this year's U.S. Open

Williams is playing in her first Grand Slam semifinal since she won the U.S. Open last year. She is looking for her third-straight U.S. Open crown.

To get past the quarterfinal round, Williams beat Flavia Pennetta in straight sets.​ Williams has won handily against Taylor Townsend (first round), Vania King (second round), Varvara Lepchenko (third round), and Kaia Kanepi (fourth round).

Williams has won five Open titles and 17 total grand slam championships in her career, though her best result at a major tournament so far this year was a fourth-round appearance at the Australian Open. 

No. 1 seeded Williams is the only of the top nine woman's seeds to reach the semifinals.

This is Makarova's first semifinal appearance in a Grand Slam. Her previous best was reaching the quarterfinal round, including last year's U.S. Open tournament.

On Tuesday, Williams and her sister Venus, lost to Makarova and Flavia Penneta in the quarterfinals of the women's doubles draw.

If Makarova beats Williams on Friday, she will be the first female to reach both the singles and doubles final at the same event since Williams won both finals at Wimbledon in 2012.

The winner of the match will play either Shuai Peng or Caroline Wozniacki in the U.S. Open final.

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- Sarah Barshop