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Serena claims US Open with stunning fightback
Source: Agencies |
September 10, 2012, Monday
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Online Edition
Online Edition
SERENA Williams, through sheer force of will as much as her unquestionable skill, beat world number one Victoria Azarenka 6-2 2-6 7-5 in a dramatic US Open final yesterday to win her fourth title at Flushing Meadows and her 15th career grand slam.
On her best behavior but unable to dominate an opponent seven years her junior, Williams showed all her great fighting qualities to survive a ferocious comeback from Azarenka and seal victory after more than two and a quarter hours to become the oldest US Open champion in nearly four decades.
"I honestly can't believe I won," Williams said in a courtside interview. "I was preparing my runner-up speech because she was playing so great. I'm really shocked."
Billed as a clash between the greatest player of her generation and the top player in the world this year, the match lived up to all the hype and more after initially offering only a one-sided romp for Williams.
The American raced through the opening set in just 35 minutes with two service breaks and 16 stunning winners.
But the Belarusian, who won her maiden grand slam title at the Australian Open in January, suddenly found a way to penetrate the booming Williams serve, setting the stage for an epic contest in which both players ran themselves to the point of exhaustion.
Azarenka broke Williams for the first time in the opening game of the second set and again to lead 4-1. When the American started to show the first few signs of nerves, Azarenka seized her opportunity and for the first time since 1995, the US Open women's final was forced into a deciding third set.
"I'm just honored to be standing with such a champion here," Azarenka said.
"I definitely gave it all today. Stepping out of this court today I will have no regrets."
On her best behavior but unable to dominate an opponent seven years her junior, Williams showed all her great fighting qualities to survive a ferocious comeback from Azarenka and seal victory after more than two and a quarter hours to become the oldest US Open champion in nearly four decades.
"I honestly can't believe I won," Williams said in a courtside interview. "I was preparing my runner-up speech because she was playing so great. I'm really shocked."
Billed as a clash between the greatest player of her generation and the top player in the world this year, the match lived up to all the hype and more after initially offering only a one-sided romp for Williams.
The American raced through the opening set in just 35 minutes with two service breaks and 16 stunning winners.
But the Belarusian, who won her maiden grand slam title at the Australian Open in January, suddenly found a way to penetrate the booming Williams serve, setting the stage for an epic contest in which both players ran themselves to the point of exhaustion.
Azarenka broke Williams for the first time in the opening game of the second set and again to lead 4-1. When the American started to show the first few signs of nerves, Azarenka seized her opportunity and for the first time since 1995, the US Open women's final was forced into a deciding third set.
"I'm just honored to be standing with such a champion here," Azarenka said.
"I definitely gave it all today. Stepping out of this court today I will have no regrets."
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