Two-time US Open finalist Victoria Azarenka has claimed that she is looking forward to 'battling' Angelique Kerber for a place in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows in New York.

The 20th seed will take on the German on Friday after sealing a 7-5 6-4 victory over Yanina Wickmayer on Thursday.

Kerber, who is seeded 11th, secured her place in the next phase of the tournament with a straight-sets win over Karin Knapp.

When asked what she is expecting from Kerber, Azarenka told reporters: "Oh, a very tough match. She's an amazing fighter and sometimes you feel like you're playing against the wall, so I have to find a lot of ways to make her out of balance and to be aggressive and try to find empty space in the court, but she's an amazing player.

"She's been really solid, you know, throughout the year, so I'm looking forward to having this battle and test myself and try to find a way to win."

Kerber's best finish at the US Open is the semi-finals, which she reached in 2011.