A rejuvenated Victoria Azarenka says she is going to keep pushing for Grand Slam titles after finishing runner-up at the US Open, fueled by a more relaxed outlook on life. The two-time Slam winner lost to Japan's Naomi Osaka in three sets at Flushing Meadows on Saturday in her first appearance in the final of a tennis major in seven years. Many commentators thought the former world number, now 31, was done at Grand Slams after her career was first disrupted by injury and then by a custody battle of her son, who was born in December 2016.

But the unseeded Belarusian enjoyed a fairytale run to the final at the US National Tennis Center, which included a three sets defeat of former foe Serena Williams in the semi-finals. "I had a great two weeks. I enjoyed myself. I did everything I could today," said Azarenka, winner of the Australian Open in 2012 and 2013. "I'm not necessarily disappointed. It's just painful to lose. That is what it is. I was close. But it didn't go my way," she added. Azarenka raced to 1-0 lead after thumping Osaka 6-1 in just 26 minutes. A combination of impressive serving and formidable returns was reminiscent of the form that delivered two Grand Slam titles at her peak.