World No.1 Serena Williams matched Roger Federer’s all-time men’s grand slam titles record with victory over second-ranked Victoria Azarenka in the longest women’s US Open final in more than 30 years.
Williams equalled Federer’s 17 career majors with a 7-5 6-7 (6-8) 6-1 victory in a marathon final lasting two hours and 45 minutes on Sunday.
“Yeah, that’s pretty cool. It’s an honour to be even with Roger,” Williams said.
“He has been such a great champion throughout the years and he’s just an unbelievable competitor. It feels really good to be in that same league as him.”
Winning a fifth US Open just 18 days before turning 32 has given her some age-defying and record-rivalling grand slam ideas.
The 31-year-old American is the oldest open-era women’s winner in New York – 293 days older than Margaret Smith Court was when the Australian won in 1973.
“I feel great. I have never felt better,” Williams said. “I feel really fit. I can play a tournament like this, singles and doubles, with tough schedules. I haven’t felt like this in a number of years.
“I’m excited about the possibilities. I don’t know what can happen.”
Williams, who won her first grand slam at the US Open in 1999 at age 17, has also won five Wimbledon and Australian Open titles as well as taking her second French Open crown earlier this year.
“Being older, it’s always awesome and such a great honour because I don’t know if I’ll ever win another grand slam,” Williams said.
“It has more meaning in history. It’s definitely a different feeling. It was amazing winning at 17. The difference is it hasn’t settled in yet.
“I’m thinking still about what I could have done better and why I didn’t do that.
“I think I’m a little crazy in that part, like something must be not right because I don’t even relish the moment enough. I just automatically think,
‘What’s next?’”
Williams collected won $US3.6 million ($A3.94 million), including a $US1 million ($A1.09 million) bonus for her success in US open tune-up events after winning a rematch of last year’s final that gave her and Azarenka a combined total of six of the eight major titles.
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.”
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.”
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 Smith Court owns the all-time mark of 24.
The two-and-three-quarter-hour match was the longest 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).
With the victory, Williams has won more than $US9 million ($A9.84 million) in 2013, a one-year women’s record, and boosted her career winnings above $US50 million ($A54.65 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 jeopardised her life and left her at times “lying in bed and thinking I will never play again.
“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.”
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
Serena matched Fedora's all time MEN'S grand slam record? Is she playing against the men now?
Johnno
Guest
Serena Williams might end up being the best women's player ever or in the last 30 years. of say the last 50 years Margaret Court might challange her. Margaret Court won more grand slams, but the always debate is, Serena Williams played tennis in a time when more countries in the world played tennis. And that is a valid debate. But that is also like saying Kelly Slater in 50 years may not be the greatest surfer if no one wins 12 world titles, as more people will be surfing. But Serena Williams is right up there . For Federer he has really slipped of the radar in the last 4 years. 2010-13, now grand slams completed Fed has only won 2. 2003-7 were Feds best yeas. 2008-9 not as dominant when Rafa came onto the scene more beyond the French open Rafa is 5 years younger than Fed too. But the last 4 years have been lean picking's by Fed's standards. I can't see Fed winning another grand slam. Sampras was 31 when he won his last grand slam at US open, Fed is now 32, his last grand slam was also at aged 31 at Wimbledon. Fed is now not getting any younger, and next year he will only be getting older, while the top players will only be getting younger, not yet peaking. The decline has been going for 4 year now but it's really set in now. Agassi's last grand slam win was at 32 years 9 months at the OZ open, which is almost the same age Federer will be at the 2014 OZ open. Federer will be 32 years 5 months at 2014 OZ open. The decline is on now for Fed. In saying that I can't see Nadal winning another 5 grand slams to equal Federer's record. Nadal is only 27 but injuries may play a part and in 3 years he will be 30 to.