Last night in New York, Serena Williams, the No. 1 seeded player overcame No. 2 Azarenka 7-5, 6-7 (6), 6-1 to claim her fifth US Open title championship at Flushing Meadows. (she also defeated Vika at the USO finals last year)
How cute is this pic? |
Williams, who turns 32 on Sept. 26, raised her Grand Slam singles title count to 17, tying her with Roger Federer and making her the sixth-most in history and one shy of Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert.
Last night's victory also made her the first woman to surpass $9 million in prize money in a single season and also first to top $50 million in career earnings. Her $50.9 million total is $22.1 million more than sister Venus, who is second on the list at $28.8 million. (Willaim sisters' power!). Serena collected a $3.6 million prize, including a $1 million bonus for producing the best results during the North American summer hard-court circuit leading up to the US Open. (not shabby eh?)
Serena's victory wasn't without a fight from Azarenka, who before her defeat on Sunday; was 31-1 on hard court (brilliant) this season but she simply could not keep up with Williams, who proved too hot to beat. "Vika's such a great opponent, such a great fighter," Williams said, "and that's why she's been able to win multiple Grand Slams. That's why it was never over until match point." Serena
When asked in an interview with ESPN just after her victory how she managed to come back after losing the 2nd set, Serena said she told herself "If you want to be a champion, you have to play like one". It's always so inspiring to see Serena win like this, to think that a few years back, she had pulmonary embolism and nearly died, plus a bad knee and ankle that could have stopped her career. "She's a champion, and she knows how to repeat that. She knows what it takes to get there. I know that feeling, too. And when two people who want that feeling so bad meet, it's like a clash," Azarenka said, pounding her fists together.
Friendly rivals, Serena and Vika. Ever the fashionsita, peep at Serena's cute nails |
Last night was a night of many firsts for Williams as she had never won two consecutive US Opens, but now she has, adding to the trophies she earned in New York in 1999 -- at age 17 -- then 2002 and 2008. She also equalled Steffi Graf with five US Open titles, one behind Evert's record of six in the Open era, which began in 1968.
See the Tennis star switch from athlete to fashionista as she attended Good Morning America with Robin Roberts this morning.
Waving cheerily whilst striking a pose for the Paps |
With Robin Roberts on GMA |
champ Serena signing an autograph |
Can she chase, catch up and create her own record breaking history? we wish Serena all the best in her beautiful career..
Photo Credit: US Open and AP
Congrats Serena I believe she will make history. This Azarenka is so pretty. Nice
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