Serena Williams is in the final of the US Open for the tenth time and is only one more victory away from her 24th Grand Slam title. The 37-year-old defeated Ukrainian Jelena Switolina in the semi-final 6: 3, 6: 1. In the final Williams meets Bianca Andreescu from Canada, who also prevailed in two sets against Belinda Bencic.
Williams had a few problems with Switolina in a one-sided match at Arthur Ashe Stadium. However, the Ukrainian could not use any of her six breakballs in the first round. After 41 minutes, the first sentence went to the American.
In the second set Williams again made a quick break to 2: 1. After that she did not play anymore. In 2018 Williams was also in the final and Williams lost in a memorable game against the Japanese Naomi Osaka. At the end of the match, Williams got involved with the referee and was finally taken off for unauthorized coaching and insulting a game.
Supreme Serena @ serenawilliams wants to seek a 7th crown in New York after dispatching Svitolina 6-3, 6-1 in the semifinals ... # USOpen pic.twitter.com/BDHaI0iKOb
- US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 6, 2019"It seems really crazy that I'm in another final, but I do not expect much less either," said Williams, who set her best of her compatriot Chris Evert with her 101st win at Flushing Meadows.
Chance of several records
For Williams, since the birth of her daughter Alexis Olympia in September 2017, her fourth chance has been to retire Margaret Court's record of 24 major titles. In addition to the final defeat against Osaka she had beaten in Wimbledon each Angelique Kerber and Simona Halep in the final. A seventh victory at the US Open would be a new record. With six titles Williams shares the record currently with Evert.
The 37-year-old has already set some records with her finals. Between her first major final in 1999, which she also won in New York against the Swiss Martina Hingis, and the final on Saturday are 19 years and 362 days. This is the largest time span between the first and the youngest finals at Grand Slams in women's tennis. At the same time Williams is the oldest finalist in the era of professional tennis.
First grand slam final for Andreescu
Canadians Andreescu drew 7: 6 (7: 3), 7: 5 against Bencic in their first Grand Slam final. The 22-year-old Bencic was the better player in the first round against Andreescu, but did not take her chances. Andreescu fought off six chances to break and a set ball. In the second set, Bencic did not manage a 5-2 lead in their first major semi-final, while Andreescu won five games in a row and finished the match with their third match ball after 2:13.
Last year, the 19-year-old failed in the first qualifying round. On her debut in New York, she is the only Canadian ever to reach a major final and belongs to a circle of only six players who have already reached the final in their first four Grand Slam appearances. In a win against Williams Andreescu would also be the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam tournament in the individual competition.
Yes, @Bandreescu_, this is definitely REAL LIFE!
See you on Saturday in the final ... # USOpen pic.twitter.com/v5df41niQq
"It does not feel real," Andreescu said: "It's a dream come true to play against Serena in the final of the US Open, it's crazy."
After winning the tournament in Toronto, where she benefited in the final from an injury-related task by Williams, it was the 13th consecutive victory for Andreescu.
