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Flushing Meadows, NY (Sports Network) - For the second time in two years the womens final at the U.S. Open will pit world No. 1 Serena Williams against former top-ranked star Victoria Azarenka. Williams overcame Azarenka in three sets in last years high-quality finale in New York City. In Fridays semifinal nightcap, the top-seeded Williams whipped fifth-seeded Chinese star and fellow 31-year-old Li Na 6-0, 6-3, while the first semi on Day 12 saw the second-seeded Azarenka defeat unseeded Italian Flavia Pennetta 6-4, 6-2 at Ashe Stadium. Williams took the first set at love in a mere 29 minutes against an overwhelmed Li on Day 12. The Chinese star improved in the second set, as she broke Williams for a short-lived 2-1 lead. But Williams righted the ship by breaking right back on her way to a commanding 5-2 lead. Williams and Li battled in a brilliant eighth game in the second, as the Chinese veteran saved a whopping six match points on her serve. But the match came to an end in the next game, as Williams served her way into the final, converting on a seventh match point when Li netted one final forehand return. "It was tough at the end," Williams said. "I got a little bit nervous, but I was able to close it out finally." Williams needed 1 hour, 27 minutes to move on, as she broke Li five times while coughing up her serve only once. The high-flying Williams improved to 9-1 lifetime against Li, including a perfect 4-0 mark in Grand Slam action. The former French Open titlist Li was this years Australian Open runner-up to the two-time reigning Melbourne champion Azarenka. Shes now 3-2 in her career Grand Slam semis, with Friday marking her one at the U.S. Open. The amazing Williams will now play in her 21st career Grand Slam final, seeking a 17th major title. She owns 54 career titles overall on the WTA circuit, including eight already in 2013. She was the French Open champion in June and currently holds half the major titles. Williams is 4-2 in her U.S. Open finals, but has never titled back-to-back in Flushing. Shes now 71-9 overall at the Open. The powerful American is a sizzling 66-4 overall this year. Meanwhile, the Belarusian stalwart Azarenka needed six set points and 52 minutes to win the first set against the 83rd-ranked Pennetta. The second set, however, was another story, as Azarenka cruised through that one in 42 minutes. Serving for the match, Azarenka converted on her third match point with a solid forehand winner. The shrieking Belarusian broke her Italian counterpart eight times, while Pennetta tallied five breaks in a losing effort. The slightly off Azarenka prevailed despite committing 25 unforced errors while striking only 15 winners and improving to a tour-best 31-1 on hardcourts this year. "It was a little bit tricky," Azarenka said. "I couldnt find my rhythm at the beginning. I felt I was rushing too much. I couldnt really put the ball in play. Its good I stayed tough, played well in the return game at important moments." The 31-year-old Pennetta is a former top-10 star who was playing in her first- ever Grand Slam semi. Shes reached at least the quarterfinals in four of her last five trips to New York. The Italian missed last years Open due to a wrist injury. Azarenka is now 2-1 lifetime against Pennetta, who was the first-ever Italian woman to crack the WTAs top 10 back in 2009. The 24-year-old Minsk native Azarenka will appear in her fourth career Grand Slam final, seeking her third title and first outside of Melbourne. Shes 17-13 in her career finals overall, including 3-2 this season. Azarenka has now reached four of the last eight womens Grand Slam finals. Williams is 12-3 lifetime against Azarenka, but the Belarusian has won two of their three meetings this year -- all in finals. The American great, however, is a dominant 7-0 in their career Grand Slam matchups. The 2013 womens U.S. Open champ will earn $2.6 million. Williams would claim an additional $1 million as a result of capturing the U.S. Open Series. Rod Brind Amour Jersey . - This win was more the New Jersey Devils style. Justin Faulk Jersey . Nine-year veteran Danny Granger did not make his debut with the Clippers because of a technicality on the teams active list, which is signed by coach Doc Rivers before every game and relayed to the officials. Grangers name was printed by hand by a member of the public relations staff under the heading: "Updated Roster Additions," but the number on the sheet was not circled along with the other active players by the required deadline of 6:30 p. http://www.hurricanessale.com/. Nine years later, he might have finally figured it out. He had only five rounds in the 60s in his previous eight trips. Custom Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys . The Henry Burris-led squad finished second in the East Division before advancing to the Grey Cup where they ultimately fell to the home field advantage wielding Saskatchewan Roughriders.ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals have made a one-year, $14.1 million qualifying offer to free agent Carlos Beltran. They just dont expect him to return next season. General manager John Mozeliak and manager Mike Matheny met with reporters Monday for the first time since losing a six-game World Series to the Red Sox last week. Mozeliak says he expects the 36-year-old Beltran to seek a multiyear contract elsewhere. "We never want to close doors," Mozeliak said. "Reality is when you look at the depth, trying to find ample playing time, Im not sure how happy he will be." Beltran topped 600 plate appearances both seasons with the Cardinals, needing just occasional rest for his surgically repaired knees. He batted .296 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs this year, and had several big hits in the post-season, too. "I reminded him what an incredible season he had for us," Matheny said. "We dont know how this whole thing is going to play out." But the outfield will be crowded with Matt Adams expected to be the everyday first baseman and cleanup man Allen Craig moving to right field. Top prospect Oscar Taveras also figures to be in the mix. Mozeliak said theres a chance the payroll will be lower at the start of next season, with big contracts for Beltran, Chris Carpenter, Rafael Furcal and Jake Westbrook coming off the books. Given the right circumstances, he said the payroll could go up. At the top of the off-season wish list is an offensive upgrade at shortstop over the slick-fielding, light-hitting combo of Pete Kozma and Daniel Descalso. The Cardinals expect to hear from teams interested in their prospects. "We do have the resources," Mozeliak said. "Certainly, I dont want to close any doors today." Rookie Trevor Rosenthal opens spring training as the closer ahead of Jason Motte, wholl be eased back into the mix coming off reconstructive elbow surgery that sidelined him all of 2013. Mozeliak said it was "hard to imagine" a better closer than Rosenthal the way he finishedd the year.dddddddddddd Mozeliak said rookie Kolten Wong, a first-round pick in 2011, could be the everyday second baseman. Leadoff man Matt Carpenter would move to third, displacing David Freese. "If I had a bet, I would say hes probably going to get a lot of playing time for us," Mozeliak said. Neither Matheny nor Mozeliak expressed any regrets about using post-season roster spots for rookie 15-game winner Shelby Miller and deposed closer Edward Mujica, who had 35 saves before hitting the wall the final month. The Cardinals left the 22-year-old Miller out of the post-season rotation due to concerns about the innings load from a full season as the fifth starter. They wanted Miller on the roster just in case, assuring him hes a big part of next years rotation. Mujica got the nod in appreciation for services rendered, with Mozeliak noting "there is some loyalty in the decision-making process." "We were prepared, we knew what we were trying to accomplish," Matheny said. "We do what we believe is best for this team so we can go back and sleep at night and realize we did the right thing." Among the healthy arms who didnt make the cut were lefties Sam Freeman and Tyler Lyons. They could have added third catcher Rob Johnson, freeing up backup catcher Tony Cruz as a pretty good bat off the bench. "Look at Chiefs contribution," Mozeliak said, using Mujicas nickname. "I think it would have been very difficult to keep him off." The Cardinals know Rosenthal wants to be a starter but theyre loaded in that department with rookie Michael Wacha near the top of the list, right behind 19-game winner Adam Wainwright, coming off a phenomenal post-season. Also in the mix are Joe Kelly and Lance Lynn, along with youngsters Miller and Carlos Martinez, plus Matheny thought Jaime Garcia was almost ready to return from shoulder surgery at the end of the season. Mozeliak anticipates no off-season surgeries, and believes Craigs left mid-foot sprain will be healed in about a month. ' ' '