Serena Williams celebrates after defeating Victoria Azarenka in the women's singles final.(Photo Jerry Lai USA TODAY Sports)
Story HighlightsSerena Williams defeated Victoria Azarenka 7 5 6 7 (6 8) 6 1It marked Williams' fifth U.S. Open and 17th major titleShe also claimed her ninth title of the seasonSHARE 3739 CONNECT 461 TWEET 64 COMMENTEMAILMORE
NEW YORK Serena Williams leapt into the air and didn't want to come back down to earth. So she kept jumping up and down over and over screaming with joy and radiating relief.
It had taken longer than most anyone had imagined and a much tougher opponent than she'd faced all tournament but Williams had proved victorious. She was the U.S. Open champion again for the fifth time. She beat a relentless Victoria Azarenka 7 5 6 7 (6 8) 6 1 for her 17th Grand Slam singles title one fewer than Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova on the all time list.
MEN'S FINAL Expect long grueling rallies
This one didn't come easy for the top seeded Williams.
When you're always trying to write history or join history in my case maybe you just get a little more nervous than you should Williams said. I got a little uptight.
First there was the wind blustering and swirling all evening even blowing Williams' dress around at times when she was trying to serve. Her groundstrokes were inconsistent missing by feet when she typically misses by inches (if at all). Whether it was the conditions or nerves Williams appeared rattled.
Most important and for the first time all tournament Williams looked beatable.
Azarenka certainly thought so never relenting at any point in the match even when she was down a set. Even when she was down a set and two breaks. And Azarenka did come all the way back evening the match at a set apiece in an exhilarating second set tiebreak.
Serena Williams greets Victoria Azarenka at the net.(Photo Susan Mullane USA TODAY sports)
Williams twice served for the match in that second set at 5 4 and 6 5 and both times the owner of the best serve in women's tennis history was broken. She had been broken twice the entire tournament leading into Sunday.
Vika's such a great opponent she's such a fighter Williams said on court after the match. It was never over until match point.
During those service games and in the subsequent second set tiebreak Williams complained about the wind calling it unbelievable after the match. Her shots would go long and she would throw her hands up the scene replayed itself quite a few times on Sunday. Down 6 4 in the tiebreak Williams threw her racket to the ground partly frustrated by the wind and partly flabbergasted that she hadn't won the match yet.
I thought 'This is outrageous that I'm still out here ' because I had had a great opportunity to win already Williams said. So I thought you know what I just have to relax calm down and play smarter tennis.
The third set the match was Williams' first three setter of the entire tournament proved easier. Williams broke Azarenka's serve twice (including once on an Azarenka double fault) and then Williams finally successfully served out the match.
From the first point the tension the battle the determination it was raising. Really you know kind of like boiling water Azarenka said. I fought as hard as I could. But I lost to a great champion.
Afterward Williams and Azarenka embraced at the net a touching moment to cap what has become one of women's tennis's most entertaining and friendliest and best rivalries. Azarenka later said she feels special to have the opportunity to play someone who might very well end up being the greatest female tennis player of all time.
The two had faced off here last year in another three set thriller which Williams won 2 6 6 2 7 5. Azarenka said despite the parallels that she has grown as a player and this year's final felt nothing like last year's. Both stung however.
I'm not going to lie it hurts bad Azarenka said.
For Williams this title felt different because of its significant effect on her place in the sport's history. She's now a bit higher on the all time major championship lists and tied with men's recordholder Roger Federer who also has 17 majors. In a nod to her contemporary counterpart born less than a month apart Williams smiled and called it an honor to be tied with him.
For the U.S. Open victory plus the $1 million bonus for winning the US Open Series Williams takes home a record $3.6 million.
Sunday's victory continues one of the best years of Williams' career in which she has gone 67 4 and won nine tournaments and counting. Williams admitted with a sigh of relief that this title helps when she looks back to evaluate the level of success she had this year.
Absolutely Williams said. I felt almost disappointed with my year to be honest. I felt like yeah I won the French Open but I wasn't happy with my performances in the other two Slams. I definitely feel a lot better with at least a second Grand Slam under my belt this year.
GALLERY U.S. OPEN DAY 14
Last SlideNext SlideSerena Williams Grand Slam finals
Won 17 Lost 4
1999 U.S. Open def. Martina Hingis 6 3 7 6 (4).
2001 U.S. Open lost to Venus Williams 6 2 6 4.
2002 French Open def. V.Williams 7 5 6 3.
2002 Wimbledon def. V.Williams 7 6 (4) 6 3.
2002 U.S. Open def. V.Williams 6 4 6 3.
2003 Australian Open def. V.Williams 7 6 (4) 3 6 6 4.
2003 Wimbledon def. V.Williams 4 6 6 4 6 2.
2004 Wimbledon lost to Maria Sharapova 6 1 6 4.
2005 Australian Open def. Lindsay Davenport 2 6 6 3 6 0.
2007 Australian Open def. Sharapova 6 1 6 2.
2008 Wimbledon lost to V.Williams 7 5 6 4.
2008 U.S. Open def. Jelena Jankovic 6 4 7 5.
2009 Australian Open def. Dinara Safina 6 0 6 3.
2009 Wimbledon def. V.Williams 7 6 (3) 6 2.
2010 Australian Open def. Justine Henin 6 4 3 6 6 2.
2010 Wimbledon def. Vera Zvonareva 6 3 6 2.
2011 U.S. Open lost to Sam Stosur 6 2 6 3.
2012 Wimbledon def. Agnieszka Radwanska 6 1 5 7 6 2.
2012 U.S. Open def. Victoria Azarenka 6 2 2 6 7 5.
2013 French Open def. Maria Sharapova 6 4 6 4.
2013 U.S. Open def. Victoria Azarenka 7 5 6 7 (6) 6 1.
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