Williams Overpowers Close Friend Wozniacki For Third Straight US Open Title
Serena Williams coasted to her third-straight US Open final on Sunday, defeating 10th-seeded Caroline Wozniacki 6-3, 6-3 to capture the 18th Grand Slam title of her career.
After Serena held in the opening game of the match, both players exchanged breaks for the next five to bring the score to 4-2 in the opening frame. She would eventually close out the set 6-3 in 30 minutes as the top-ranked player in the world was in complete control.
The second set went a little different, as Serena broke in the opening game but each player held serve for the next seven games following that giving Serena the 5-3 advantage. With Wozniacki serving, Serena wasted no time in closing her out, and broke the Dane’s serve to wrap up the 6-3, 6-3 victory in 75 minutes.
“It is a pleasure for me to win my first Grand Slam here and then this, number 18,” said Williams. “So I’m really emotional. I couldn’t ask to do it a better place.”
The 18th title for Serena matches her with Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova for fourth on the all-time list.
“It was definitely on my shoulders. It was definitely like, ‘Oh, get there, get there, get there’,” said Serena when asked if the quest for an 18th Grand Slam weighed on her. “Now I’ve gotten there, so now it’s a little bit of a relief.”
Williams’ emotions were on display as she dropped to the court and put her hands over her face following the end of the match. She had failed to reach even a quarterfinal at any of the three Grand Slams this year coming into the US Open, but didn’t lose more than three games in any set at Flushing Meadows.
While Wozniacki is not usually known for her power or her ability to hit winners, her inability to do so on Sunday really hurt her. She hit just four winners, three of which were aces, in the entire match compared to 29 for Serena. Despite the defeat, Wozniacki was extremely respectful following the match, and the two even went out on the town in New York City last night.
“You really deserved it today. You played better than me,” said Wozniacki, who was playing in her second career Grand Slam final (2009 US Open). “You’re an unbelievable champion and you’re an inspiration to me both on and off the court. You’re an unbelievable friend—and you definitely owe drinks later.”
The 24-year old Dane will now continue to prepare for the New York City Marathon in November.
“I do, but I just want to keep it to myself,” she said when asked her goal time for the 26.2 mile run. “To be honest, I would just like to finish it. That’s going to be a goal.”
