Azarenka, ranked 27th in the world, won her first title in four years by a walkover following Osaka’s withdrawal and now has a shot at an even bigger prize.
The former world number one has continued her form at the behind-closed-doors Grand Slam, surprising those who had written her off.
Azarenka took time away from the sport to give birth in December 2016 and had her comeback stalled by a lengthy custody battle over son Leo.
She had only won one match in the previous year going into last month’s Western and Southern Open, admitting last week that she thought about quitting when the WTA Tour was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Instead, she is preparing to compete in her third US Open final after beating Serena Williams in Thursday’s enthralling semi-final.
“Mentally I’m in such a different place. I think seven years ago, after I won the Australian Open, and playing consistently with good results, it was kind of expected for me to be in the final,” said Azarenka, who lost to Williams in the 2012 and 2013 US Open finals.
“I don’t think that was the case this year.
“But it feels more fun this year, more fulfilling, more pleasant for me. It feels nicer.”