By Erik Gudris | Sunday, September 7, 2014

 

Serena Williams earned a historic victory over friend Caroline Wozniacki in winning her sixth US Open and 18th career Grand Slam title.

Photo Credit: AP

In Sunday's US Open Women's Final, Serena Williams didn't feel in control until it was all over.

"After match point," said a relieved and excited Williams to CBS's Mary Joe Fernandez when asked when she felt in control of her match against friend Caroline Wozniacki.

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Williams' 6-3, 6-3 victory earned her a sixth U.S. Open title and her 18th career Grand Slam title overall. That achievement ties her with both Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova on the list of all time Grand Slam greats. She also becomes the first woman to win three consecutive US Open titles since Evert won four in a row from 1975 to 1978.

"Yes, it was definitely the number 18. I have been trying to reach it for so long, since last year," Williams said when asked when the moment hit her she had achieved the milestone number. "Well, since the beginning of the year. I didn't really think would I get there. I just felt so good."

A sense of impending history and significance filled the air as the top seed and two-time defending champion entered Arthur Ashe Stadium once again as the big favorite not having dropped a set all tournament. No. 10 seed Wozniacki, back into her first major final in five years, hoped her two close three set losses to Williams earlier this summer would give her confidence to perhaps pull off the massive upset.

With tennis icon Billie Jean King on hand for the coin toss, the moment seemed pre-ordained for a Williams' victory. Williams, despite an up and down season, looked in control and seemingly unbeatable as she marched through the draw. But many wondered if the top seed would embrace the occaision or perhaps let it get to her, especially if the contest proved a close one.

The first set started out uneven as understandable nerves took hold of both early in the opening set. Williams fought off a break point and then with massive returns against Wozniacki's weaker serve quickly broke for 2-0.

Wozniacki broke back and that began a series of service breaks with neither player looking quite settled in despite the set being halfway done. Yet it was Williams' power that soon made a dent in Wozniacki's game. With Wozniacki at times unable to handle Williams' weight of shot, the top seed rose to a 5-2 lead.

By now, Wozniacki had only one winner in her column (an ace) and look unable to force the issue against her opponent. Williams, holding set point, struck a backhand winner behind Wozniacki to close out the set 6-3.

The second set quickly went in favor of Williams as she broke Wozniacki thanks to a forehand winner. Striking her 5th ace, Williams jumped out to a 2-0 lead.

Though Wozniacki would engage Williams in extended rallies that seemed to favor the Dane, usually the final shot belonged to Williams. Case in point, Williams looking seemingly out of position in one long exchange only to end it with a sweeping crosscourt forehand winner. Wozniacki, fighting off another break point, held for 1-2.

As Williams and Wozniacki began enjoying easier service holds, time started running out for Wozniacki to make some sort of impression on the World No. 1.

With Serena serving up 4-3, Wozniacki started hitting harder with better effect. At 30-all, Williams responded with a punishing 116 mph serve into Wozniacki's body earning a game point. A forehand winner got the top seed a game away from the title.

Serena didn't wait around for her chance to close things out. After winning a 26-shot rally, Williams struck yet another forehand winner giving her two match points at 15-40. On the first, Wozniacki sent a final backhand long allowing Williams to fall to the ground in celebration of her historic 6-3, 6-3 win.

Williams hit 29 winners to just four from Wozniacki, while the top seed collected 23 unforced errors to just 15 her opponent.

During the on-court trophy ceremony, Williams was greeted by both Evert and Navratilova who presented her with a commemorative 18-karat gold bracelet.

"I think we both went out there and we were both a little nervous. I knew that I had to take the chance from the start. I think we both raised our level in the second set, and it was just a little too late for me," Wozniacki said later. "She also went out there and she was very aggressive from the start. So she didn't really let me dictate it the way I wanted to."

Wozniacki, who will be running in the New York City Marathon later this year, took away positives from her two weeks in New York.

"Well, definitely it does a lot. You know, I have had a great two weeks here. I have played really well this summer. I have won so many matches," Wozniacki said. "But, you know, I feel like I'm on the right path. I have been playing really well, so hopefully I can finish off the year strong and have a good start to next year."

Feeling relief at having won a Grand Slam title this season and having achieved what seemed at times an elusive 18th major victory, Wiliams reflected on the match.

"I think in the beginning it was definitely a little tough," Williams said."But I just and I know Caroline. She did so well and she was fighting so hard. That's one thing I love about her and love about her game. And also just her spirit off the court. She is just a fighter and she never gives up."

Asked her opinion on where she stands in tennis history, Williams didn't want to give a definitive answer. Only because she isn't done yet trying to make more history.

"I don't think about it so much because I'm still playing. I'm already looking at maybe No. 19. (Smiling.) So I'm not thinking about it so much as...I think once you do you become a little satisfied. I have said this before: I don't want to become that. I want to continue to rise and continue to play really hard and do the best that I can."

Williams once again holds the coveted silver U.S. Open trophy that she wanted to win when she first started playing tennis as a child. That trophy, that she first won as a teenager and again now for her 18th career Grand Slam victory, proves her career remains as timeless and vauled as pure gold.