Serena Williams is the 2013 U.S. Open champion after defeating Victoria Azarenka in consecutive sets, earning the American her fifth title at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Williams dispatched Azarenka 7-5, 6(6)-7(8), 6-1. She cut out the grunting. She cut out the complaining and Williams settled down in the third set to close out the match.
Azarenka went long with a backhand return and Williams lept into the air in celebration after such an emotional win.
It was the toughest victory for Williams since anyone can remember. Williams found her game late in the match as Azarenka couldn't take advantage of the momentum she built in the second set. Williams won four straight points as she served the fifth game, leaving Azarenka with a lot to think about and mounting pressure from the No. 2 seed from Belarus.
It took Williams a little longer than expected to with the match as Azarenka would not go away, even when many thought Williams had full control of the match. The second set went into a tiebreak after Williams held a 1-4 lead in the second set. Williams set for the match twice, but could not get it done. She might have complained about the wind, but Williams appeared to let nerves get the best of her. Azarenka won the first point. which surely made Williams feel uneasy. However, Williams tied it 1-1 with an uncomfortable serve into the body of Azarenka.
Down 4-6 in the tiebreak, Williams somehow gathered herself after demonstratively smashing her racket on the court. She managed to push the tiebreaker to 6-6, only to find herself quickly losing the second set after handing over two straight points to Azarenka.
Things started terribly for the No. 1 ranked player in Women's Singles tennis. Williams battled the wind aside from worrying about an Azarenka who was extremely confident. The wind was responsible for Williams' troubles. Her dress was swaying back and forth, while the ball never remained steady when lobbing up to serve or when receiving arching shots from Azarenka.
As a result, Williams had issues winning in the first set. Both players were broken in their first serves, but it took Williams more time to settle in. Azarenka was hitting the best shots of the tournament, which allowed her to remain a game up on Williams. Both traded blows until Williams took control, tying the first set 5-5 and eventually putting it away 7-5. It took 58 minutes to complete the first set and by this point, Williams could smell the blood.
In the fifth game of the second set, things truly fell apart for the second seed. Azarenka's focus and confidence was gone. She double faulted three times, gifting Williams with points she did not need. Williams' game was already picking up as the American was smacking aces past Azarenka and playing smarter tennis.
However, things didn't finish so quickly despite Azarenka's troubles in the second set. Williams couldn't close out the match when she held serve and a 5-4 lead. Azarenka rallied back from a 1-4 deficit, winning four of five games to tie the set 5-5. Williams took advantage of Azarenka errors and double faults, making good use of a 0-40 lead. Azarenka rallied back to make it 30-40 in the 11th game, but she netted a shot, giving Williams the game.
Williams' 17th grand slam title ties her with Roger Federer among active players with most grand slam titles won. Wlliams remains fifth among Women Singles players, sitting two grand slam titles behind fellow American, Martina Navratilova. This was the longest match in Women's Singles championship history after taking just over two hours and 45 minutes to finish.
