Defending US Open champion Serena defeated Azarenka 7-5, 6-7 (6/8), 6-1 to win her 17th career grand slam crown, as many as men’s record-holder Federer has collected. PHOTO: REUTERS
World number one Serena defeated second-ranked Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 7-5, 6-7 (6/8), 6-1 to defend her title and win her 17th career grand slam crown, as many as men’s record-holder Roger Federer has collected.
“It’s an honour to be even with Roger,” said Serena. “He has been such a great champion throughout the years and he’s just an unbelievable competitor. It feels really good to be in the same league as him.”
Serena remains seven shy of Margaret Court’s all-time major record of 24 titles and five adrift of Steffi Graf’s Open-Era mark of 22, but a fourth major title after turning 30 has made her think about collecting many, many more.
“I have never felt better. I feel really fit. I can easily play a tournament like this, singles and doubles, with tough schedules.
“I’m excited about the possibilities. I don’t know what can happen.”
Serena, 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,” she said.
“However, I’m still thinking about what I could have done better.
“I think I’m a little crazy in that part. I don’t even relish the moment enough. I just automatically think, ‘What’s next?’”
Tearful Azarenka vows to bury bleak Serena record
Azarenka insists she can topple Serena from her perch despite slumping to an eighth defeat in eight grand slam meetings against the 17-time major champion.
The defeat took her career record against the world number one to 13-3.
But Azarenka was trying to take the smallest comfort from those statistics with two of those wins coming in 2013 in the Doha and Cincinnati finals after a four-year drought.
“I don’t think there was much of a difference today or Cincinnati,” said the Belarusian. “I think the quality of the game and the quality of determination was the same.
“I think overall the match from last year is a different story. It showed maybe not a different Serena, but it showed a different me as a player. And I felt that way.
“So I think that it’s important to just try to go for those chances. I can’t wait for the next chance.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2013.
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