World No.1 Serena Williams clinched her fifth US Open title as well as second in a row, by outwitting 2nd-ranked Victoria Azarenka by 7-5, 6-7 (6/8), 6-1 on Sunday to claim her 17th career Grand Slam crown.
The 31-year-old American became the oldest Open Era women's winner in the history of US Open. Moreover, she won $3.6 million, including a $1 million bonus for her success in US open tuneup titles. In fact, she is the first top-seed champion after Justine Henin in 2007 and the first woman to defend the US Open crown after Kim Clijsters in 2010.
Remarkably, Williams won a rematch of last year's US Open final that awarded her and Azarenka a coalesced total of six of the eight major titles from the past 2 years. However, Williams improved to 13-3 in their rivalry but two-time Australian Open champion Azarenka had won 2 of the previous 3, the most recent one was last month's Cincinnati final.
Williams, who was broken twice in the second set while serving for the match commented that it was never over until match point. On the other side, Azarenka admitted that Williams was the superior performer in windy conditions at Arthur Ashe Stadium that perplexed both players at times and sent Williams' pink dress fluttering above her waist most of the times in the match.
With this victory, Williams has won more than $9 million in 2013, which is a one-year women's record and enhanced her career winnings above $50 million. She has even captured her ninth title of the year, which is a one-season personal best. Totally, she has 55 career titles.
No doubt Serena Williams, who lost 16 games over her first six matches, struggled windy conditions along with a determined opponent in a rematch of last year's final to increase the New York hardcourt trophy haul that included victories in 1999, 2002, 2008 and 2012.
Williams revealed that her Slam triumphs meant more following suffering blood clots in her lungs in 2011 that pushed her life in danger and left her at times lying in bed and wondering that she will never play again.
Remarkably, Williams hauled a 4-1 lead in the 2nd set but Azarenka broke her twice as she served for the match. She admitted later that she had lost focus "completely" and carried her into a tie-breaker. Following being twice denied on set points by Williams, Azarenka squashed a service winner to lead by 7-6 while Williams sent a forehand long to place herself into a third set.
On the other hand, Azarenka owned the momentum while entering the final set but double faulted away a break to Williams. She promptly fired three aces in the fifth game to hold for a 4-1 lead. Anyway, one of them was the fastest of the tournament by anyone at 126 mph. The moment when Azarenka netted a baseline forehand to surrender a break, Serena Williams had her third opportunity to serve for the title. Fortunately, this time she did not fail.
