Azarenka reaches the semifinals!
Azarenka wins 6-1 6-0!
What promised to be a very close match turned into a one-sided rout as Azarenka was at her very best, winners flowing from her racquet, her power game fully on display.
It must be said that Mertens played very poorly, but it wouldn't have mattered. Not many players would have beaten Azarenka on this form tonight. There's still much for the Belgian to proud of in 2020.
So for the 23rd time, Serena and Azarenka will face off and this match, much like their previous two meetings in Flushing Meadows, although a round earlier, has plenty at stake.
There is another match to come as Alex de Minaur faces Dominic Thiem in the last of the men's quarterfinals. We'll re-join you tomorrow night for the women's semifinals. That's all for now. My name is John Lupo and I hope you enjoyed VAVEL's coverage of this match.
Take care, everyone!
Azarenka on the verge
*Azarenka 6-1 5-0 Mertens
Another backhand down the line, another winner. What else is new? Azarenka to serve for the match.
Azarenka two games from the semifinals
Azarenka 6-1 4-0 *Mertens
An ace closes out a routine game in what has been a routine match for the former world number one so far.
Azarenka rolls on
*Azarenka 6-1 3-0 Mertens
It's all gone sideways for the Belgian as Azarenka continues to fire off winners and a backhand down the line for another winner. She's headed for the semifinals at this pace.
Belarusian continues her fine play
Azarenka 6-1 2-0 *Mertens
Well, that may have been Mertens chance. A 15-40 deficit gone as Azarenka shows her signature toughness in the big moments to scrape through and hold.
Azarenka continues to roll
*Azarenka 6-1 1-0 Mertens
A disastrous start to the second set for the 16th seed as she double faults to give Azarenka an immediate lead.
Azarenka wins the first set!
Azarenka 6-1 *Mertens
A bit of a wobble as Azarenka falls behind 15-30 on her serve, but she rallies to win three straight points, the last on a forehand that Mertens pulls just wide to give the Belarusian a one-set lead.
Azarenka breaks again!
*Azarenka 5-1 Mertens
It's all falling apart for the Belgian now as she is broken to love with another winner from the two-time finalist, this one on the backhand side.
Azarenka on a roll!
Azarenka 4-1 *Mertens
What a shot! Another long game comes to a spectacular end as Azarenka absolutely CRUSHES a backhand down the line for a winner (challenged, but upheld). She;s finding a good rhythm now.
Third straight break!
*Azarenka 3-1 Mertens
A long game ends when Mertens, going big on her serve, double faults to hand Azarenka the advantage once again.
Mertens breaks back!
Azarenka 2-1 *Mertens
Now it's the Belgian who benefits from some loose play as Azarenka commits some unforced errors in that game, which ends with a forehand winner by Mertens to get back on serve.
Azarenka breaks!
*Azarenka 2-0 Mertens
A game that started out routinely for Mertens at 30-0 turned into a break thanks to two double faults and a backhand that hit the top of the net and fell back on the 16th seed's side.
Azarenka holds to begin the match
Azarenka 1-0 *Mertens
A tough opening service game that went to deuce, but some big serving gets Azarenka out of trouble.
Match starts!
The match is underway!
Azarenka seeking sixth career major semifinal
With a victory tonight, Azarenka will reach the US Open semifinals for the first time since 2013.
Mertens seeking second career Grand Slam semifinal
The Belgian has been to the last four at a major once before, reaching the Australian Open semifinals in 2018, losing in straight sets to eventual champion Caroline Wozniacki.
Head-to-head
This is the first meeting between Azarenka and Mertens.
Winner to face Serena
Whoever prevails will face 6-time US Open champion Serena Williams as she came from a set down to defeat Tsvetana Pironkova 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Azarenka's road to the quarterfinals
The Belarusian, a winner at last week's Western and Southern Open, has defeated Barbara Haas, fifth seed and countrywoman Aryna Sabalenka and Polish teenager Iga Swiatek all in straight sets before rallying from a set down to knock out 20th seed Karolina Muchova.
Mertens' road to the quarterfinals
The Belgian has quietly moved through the draw having not dropped a set in victories over Laura Siegemund, Sara Sorribes Tormo, Caty McNally and Sofia Kenin.
Preview of the match
Here is a comprehensive preview of tonight's match by my colleague Oliver Dickson Jefford.
Welcome, everyone!
Hello, everyone! Welcome to VAVEL's coverage of the fourth and final women's quarterfinal between two-time finalist Victoria Azarenka of Belarus and 16th seed Elise Mertens of Belgium. My name is John Lupo and will be guiding through all of the action.