Top seed Victoria Azarenka defeated Maria Sharapova 3-6 6-2 6-4 to reach the US Open final on Friday.

She will face either three-time champion Serena Williams or Sara Errani of Italy in Saturday’s final.

“I was just trying to grab the first opportunity. Maria is such a great player,” said Azarenka, the reigning Australian Open champion who will be playing in her first New York final.

“But then I started to place the ball well and I found my rhythm. It’s my first final and I’m so excited, but I don’t want to leave yet.”