The name of Serena Williams is no stranger going into the ‘winner’s circle’ at the Billie Jean King United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Tennis Center in Queens. Neither is her sister Venus. Overall, they have won five United States Open women’s singles titles, with Serena taking three, in 1999, 2002, and 2008. She was seeded fourth behind the favorite Victoria Azaranka, runner-up Agnieszka Radwanska and third seeded Maria Sharapova in a field of 128 entries and 32 seeds.
Last year, Samantha Stosur of Australia, who over many years in the history of the event, dominated the sport and turned out great players. Now Stosur was looking to bounce back but Serena also was seeking the same goal. Upsets do happen in any event, and tennis is no exception.
Serena turned in some remarkable matches, and that included the finals, witnessed by a capacity crowd.
Williams defeated the top seeded women’s singles player, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5, as she lost her only set in the entire tournament in the final match. She turned in just a tremendous tournament, including the championship one.
“This was the best women’s final ever,” Serena said, after the match. “And I competed really well. The more relaxed I got (in the final), the better I got. (At the same time) I made a lot of errors.”
Williams committed 74 total errors to 50 for her opponent. She tried to make up for her errors, by piling up 94 total points to 87 for the runner-up.
To get ready for such a title match, there was a lot of work for Serena, and she was willing to put it in to re-gain a title that she once produced.
“I competed very well,” she added. “Looking back it was really exciting to see a close victory.”
The loser was certainly impressed with the way the winner competed. Serena’s serve makes her look so great.
Serena thus captured her 15th overall Grand Slam title during an illustrious career. And she played very consistent this year. If it wasn’t for tennis, just what would be her life like?
“I would have been a rock star because I love to sing,” the 30-year-old Williams said. “I thought I did not have a good voice but I’m great on stage.”
Most of the players on the circuit are afraid to go against her because she seems to be so dominating.
“I probably can be a better reader of my opponent, to be honest,” she said. “So with that being said, I’m not reading them well enough so I don’t know.”
Williams will certainly return for another try at the U.S. Open Championships next year. She wants to defend that title. Just for now after the tremendous season that she has turned in, she still wants to keep it up and raise her world ranking still further up the ladder if she can. She focuses on one match at a time.
