Serena Williams Wins Fourth Career US Open Title in Thriller over Victoria Azarenka
It’ll take more than some bad weather to slow down Serena Williams at the US Open.
After a local weather advisory pushed the women’s final to Sunday, Serena Williams overcame her nerves and late struggles to defeat world number one Victoria Azarenka, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5. The back-and-forth affair was the longest women’s final since 1981, and first three-set final since 1995.
The fourth-seeded Williams had cruised through the tournament’s preliminary rounds, defeating each of her opponents in straight sets leading up to the final. The hard-fought match against Azarenka represented her first taste of adversity at this year's Open.
Williams controlled the tempo early, handily defeating Azarenka in the first set. The young Belarusian rallied in the second set, defeating Williams 6-2, thanks in part to several unforced errors. Azarenka came within two points of her second career Grand Slam before Williams recovered her form, breaking her opponent’s serve and closing out the match with a 7-5 third set.
The 30-year-old is now an impressive 26-1 since her opening round loss at this year’s French Open. The victory gave Williams her fourth US Open title, to go along with 15 career Grand Slam crowns. She continues to inch her way up the women’s career Grand Slam record board.
The men's final between defending champion Novak Djokovic and challenger Andy Murray is set for Monday afternoon.