[SlideDeck2 id=12542 iframe=1]

**PAM*THE*SHAM*COM**

**SEPTEMBER**
**9TH**
**2013**
**9*12*A*M**

                                                         **Serena Williams wins fifth US Open, 17th Slam title**

 
Serena Williams during her US Open match against Victoria Azarenka in New York September 8, 2013
.

View gallery

  • .
  • .
  • .
AFP

Jim Slater 2 hours ago
 

World number one Serena Williams captured her fifth US Open title, and second in a row, by outlasting second-ranked Victoria Azarenka 7-5, 6-7 (6/8), 6-1 to claim her 17th career Grand Slam crown.

The 31-year-old American became the oldest Open Era women’s winner in US Open history, 293 days older than Margaret Court when she set the prior mark in 1973, and the third-oldest Grand Slam women’s champion of the Open Era.

Williams won $3.6 million, including a $1 million bonus for her success in US open tuneup events.

She is the first top-seeded champion since Justine Henin in 2007 and the first woman to defend the US Open crown since Kim Clijsters in 2010.

Williams won a rematch of last year’s US Open final that gave her and Azarenka a combined total of six of the eight major titles from the past two years.

Williams improved to 13-3 in their rivalry but two-time Australian Open champion Azarenka had won two of the previous three, most recently in last month’s Cincinnati final.

“It was never over until match point,” said Williams, who was broken twice in the second set when serving for the match.

“Victoria is such a great competitor. She was really able to push me into a third set. I was really stern with myself. I knew that if I wanted to win, I had to play better.”

Azarenka admitted Williams was the superior performer in windy conditions at Arthur Ashe Stadium that baffled both players at times and sent Williams’ pink dress fluttering above her waist much of the match.

“It’s a tough loss but being in the final against the best player, who deserves the win, it’s incredible,” Azarenka said. “I gave it everything I had. I fought hard.”

View gallery.”

Serena Williams holds her trophy after defeating Victoria …

Serena Williams holds her trophy after defeating Victoria Azarenka at the US Open in New York on Sep …

Williams matched Steffi Graf for second on the Open Era list with five US Open trophies, one shy of Chris Evert’s record, and moved one adrift of Martina Navratilova and Evert for second on the Open Era Slam win list.

Graf has the Open Era record of 22 while Australian Court owns the all-time mark of 24, although Williams has matched the men’s Slam record title total of 17 won by Roger Federer.

“Yeah, that’s pretty cool,” Williams said.

The match lasted two hours and 45 minutes to become the longest US Open women’s final since timing began in 1980, five minutes longer than the old mark set in 1981 when Tracy Austin outlasted Navratilova 1-6, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/1).

“I haven’t taken any of it in yet. I feel like it’s deuce right now,” Williams said 45 minutes after the match. “I feel like a zombie. I feel like there’s another match.”

View gallery.”

Victoria Azarenka during her US Open match against …

Victoria Azarenka during her US Open match against Serena Williams in New York on September 8, 2013. …

Williams became the first woman since Henin in 2007 to win the US and French Opens in the same year.

With the victory, Williams has won more than $9 million in 2013, a one-year women’s record, and boosted her career winnings above $50 million as well as capturing her ninth title of the year, a one-season personal best.

She also has 55 career titles in total.

Williams, who lost only 16 games over her first six matches, battled windy conditions and a determined foe in a rematch of last year’s final to add to the New York hardcourt trophy haul that included wins in 1999, 2002, 2008 and 2012.

Williams said her Slam triumphs mean more after suffering blood clots in her lungs in 2011 that jeopardized her life and left her at times “lying in bed and thinking I will never play again.

View gallery.”

Victoria Azarenka holds the runner-up trophy after …

Victoria Azarenka holds the runner-up trophy after losing to Serena Williams at the US Open in New Y …

“It’s definitely sweeter,” she said. “When I was 17 and won my first time I was really happy. Yet there were times I thought I would never pick up a racquet again so every one feels greater.”

Williams seized a 4-1 lead in the second set but Azarenka broke her twice as she served for the match, later admitting she had lost focus “completely”, and took her into a tie-breaker.

After being twice denied on set points by Williams, Azarenka swatted a service winner to lead 7-6 and Williams sent a forehand long to put herself into a third set.

“I was really disappointed,” Williams said. “I felt like I had some chances. I didn’t play a smart match in that second set. When I was up I didn’t play like I could have and I should have.”

Azarenka owned the momentum entering the final set but double faulted away a break to Williams, who promptly fired three aces in the fifth game to hold for a 4-1 lead, one of them the fastest of the tournament by anyone at 126 mph.

When Azarenka netted a baseline forehand to surrender a break, Williams had her third chance to serve for the title.

This time, she did not fail.

View Comments (37)
  1. New! ?All 15 of Serena Williams Grand Slams Winning Moments?Very Emotional!-2013

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0To9u2Js9Ro (FOR UPDATED version of this video; INCLUDING # 16) “>Attention!! CLICK LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0To9u2Js9Ro (FOR UPDATED version of this video; I…
    • HD
  2. Amazing?Serena Williams Wins U.S. Open 2012 in 4 Mins w/ 194 Winners.

    Serena Williams winning her 15th Grand Slam (@ U.S Open 2012) in 5 mins with 194 winners against 7 opponents. “>Check Out Serena Williams winning her 15th Grand Slam (@ U.S Open 2012) in 5 mins with 194 winners against 7 opponent…
    • HD
  3. 2013 U.S. TENNIS OPEN FINAL – CAN AZARENKA UPSTAGE SERENA WILLIAMS?.

    SERENA IS AMAZING. SERENA WAS AWESOME HERE IN BRISBANE WINNING THE TITLE 2013. “>AT 31 YEARS OF AGE SERENA IS AMAZING. SERENA WAS AWESOME HERE IN BRISBANE WINNING THE TITLE 2013.
  4. ESPN Commentators calls ?Serena Williams? GOAT for winning”The French Open-2013″!

    Serena Williams G.O.A.T for winning The French Open 2013. GOAT= Greatest Of All Time! “>Many Of ESPN commentators calls Serena Williams G.O.A.T for winning The French Open 2013. GOAT= Greatest Of All Time!
    • HD
  5. French Open 2013 Serena Williams The Queen

    Open champion Serena Williams says she has “never felt so fit” and would like to “continue her journey” and add to her … “>French Open champion Serena Williams says she has “never felt so fit” and would like to “continue her journey” and add to her …
    • HD
  6. 2013 US Open: Serena Williams, Sloane Stepens Rolling, James Blake Retires, Victoria Duval Wowing

    2013 US Open is rolling right along with Sloane Stephens dominating her competition, along with fellow countrywomen … “>The 2013 US Open is rolling right along with Sloane Stephens dominating her competition, along with fellow countrywomen …
    • HD
    • CC
  7. 2013 US Open – Sloane Stephens on ESPN Set After Third Round

    • by ESPN
    • 1 week ago
    • 7,509 views
    win at the 2013 US Open. “>Sloane Stephens visited the ESPN Tennis set after her third round win at the 2013 US Open.
    • HD
  8. 2013 U.S. TENNIS OPEN WOMEN’S FINAL – SERENA WILLIAMS WON UPSTAGE VICTORIA AZARENKA

    WON THE BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL 2013. SERENA WILLIAMS YOU … “>SERENA WAS AWESOME HERE IN AUSTRALIA. SHE WON THE BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL 2013. SERENA WILLIAMS …
  9. Vicky Duval Interview during Serena Williams, US Open 2013 Match

    • by ESPN
    • 1 week ago
    • 10,938 views
    2013 US Open. “>17-year-old Vicky Duval talks about what she intends to study during ESPN’s coverage of the 2013 US Open.
    • HD
  10. Serena Williams Reflects On 2012 US Open Title

    • by wta
    • 1 year ago
    • 22,627 views
    Serena Williams reflects on winning her 4th US Open crown & 15th Grand Slam title on Sunday after defeating Victoria Azarenka. “>Serena Williams reflects on winning her 4th US Open crown & 15th Grand Slam title on Sunday after defeating Victoria Azaren…
  11. Serena Williams vs Francesca Schiavone ~ Full Highlights ~ US Open 2013 (R1)

    Serena Williams vs Francesca Schiavone ~ Full Highlights ~ US Open 2013 (R1) Serena Williams vs Francesca Schiavone ~ Full … “>Serena Williams vs Francesca Schiavone ~ Full Highlights ~ US Open 2013 (R1) Serena Williams vs Francesca Schiavone ~ F…
  12. Sloane Stephens On Court Interview After Third Round, US Open 2013

    • by ESPN
    • 1 week ago
    • 6,364 views
    win at the 2013 US Open. “>Sloane Stephens with Pam Shriver following her third round win at the 2013 US Open.
    • HD
  13. Australian Open 2013 Serena Williams On Losing To Sloane Stephens Jan 23, 2013

    Open 2013 Serena Williams On … SB Nation Sloane Stephens Stuns Serena Williams In Australian Open … “>News for Australian Open 2013 Serena Williams On … SB Nation Sloane Stephens Stuns Serena Williams In Australian Open …
  14. US Open 2013: Serena Williams wins against Sloane Stephens

    US Open is not looking very American going into the second week but one player almost guaranteed to be still punching at … “>The US Open is not looking very American going into the second week but one player almost guaranteed to be still punching at …
    • NEW
  15. Us open 2013 ~ round 1 ~ Serena – Schiavone: Winning god speed

    Us open 2013 ~ round 1 ~ Serena – Schiavone: Winning god speed Us open 2013 ~ round 1 ~ Serena – Schiavone: Winning god … “>Us open 2013 ~ round 1 ~ Serena – Schiavone: Winning god speed Us open 2013 ~ round 1 ~ Serena – Schiavone: Winnin…
  16. Serena Williams vs Francesca Schiavone ~ Highlights ~ US Open 2013 (R1)

    Serena Williams vs Francesca Schiavone ~ Highlights ~ US Open 2013 (R1) Serena Williams vs Francesca Schiavone … “>Serena Williams vs Francesca Schiavone ~ Highlights ~ US Open 2013 (R1) Serena Williams vs Francesca Schiavone …
  17. Serena Williams vs Victoria Azarenka Final Rome 2013 Highlights

    Serena Williams against 3rd seed Victoria Azarenka final match from the 2013 Internazionali BNL d’Italia, Rome. “>No. 1 seed Serena Williams against 3rd seed Victoria Azarenka final match from the 2013 Internazionali BNL d’Italia, Rome.
    • HD
  18. Serena Williams Vs Stephens US Open 2013 4R Full Match Highlights

    Serena Williams Vs Stephens US Open 2013 4R Full Match Highlights. “>Serena Williams Vs Stephens US Open 2013 4R Full Match Highlights.
    • NEW
    • HD
  19. Venus and Serena ? Official Trailer 2013

    2013? Venus & Serena? Unprecedented access into their lives during the most intimidating year of their … “>In Theaters May 10 2013? Venus & Serena? Unprecedented access into their lives during the most intimidating year of their ..…