Serena struggles to US Open title

(Rank/Seed)

The final had all the drama of last year's but the result was still the same, (1/1) Williams beating (2/2) Azarenka, this time 75 67(6) 61. Williams now has 17 Grand Slams; only Graf, Navratilova and Evert have more in the Open Era. She now has 5 US Opens, which only Evert and Graf can claim in the Open Era and is now the oldest champion at this event in the Open Era. It was also her 9th title of the year (a personal best) and she pocketed the biggest tennis pay out in history; $3.6 million ($2.6 million for the title and $1 million for winning the Olympus US Open Series).

1st Set
Both players struggled early on in swirling winds, trading breaks in the first 2 games. Azarenka looked the more comfortable throughout most of the set and was 2 points away from the set at 5-4 deuce on Serena's serve. However, an ace that was called a foot fault pushed Williams into another gear as she edged a thrilling set with a second break.

2nd Set
Azarenka quickly fell behind 0-2 and after serving her 1st double faults to lose her serve again, she fell 1-4 behind and looked set for a bruising loss. Then, the drama started. Williams became tense and started to miss frequently, an ill timed big screen appearance from former president Bill Clinton at 15-40 in the 6th game contributing to Azarenka breaking serve. However, no one expected Azarenka to break again when Serena served for the match at 5-4 and then again at 6-5, but she did as Williams grew more and more irate. In the tiebreak, Williams saw a 3-1 lead become a 4-6 deficit and even though she staved off the first 2 set points, an error on the third saw Azarenka steal the set in an unbelievable comeback.

3rd Set
Azarenka missed some opportunities early in the set as Williams was shaken and mistiming her forehand particularly. However, a poor 4th game where Azarenka threw in 2 double faults to get broken having initially led 40-15 signed her fate. Williams was now 3-1 up, relaxed again and serving bombs (one serve hitting 126mph!). Azarenka faded mentally and Williams romped to the title in roughly 2 hours 45 minutes; the longest women's US Open final since records began in 1980! She was ecstatic in her success, having overcome her opponent, the wind and mostly herself! Azarenka was unsurprisingly tearful after missing out in yet another close final, but couldn't quite keep up with  perhaps the greatest of all time.