US Open - Serena wins ninth Slam

Eurosport - Mon, 08 Sep 12:17:00 2008

American Serena Williams won her ninth Grand Slam title by beating tenacious Serbian Jelena Jankovic 6-4 7-5 in a high-quality US Open final.

TENNIS 2008 US Open Serena Williams Trophy - 0

The 26-year-old broke Jankovic three times to take the opening set before saving four set points in the second to seal victory in two hours four minutes and regain the world number one ranking.

Williams, who swept away Russian Dinara Safina 6-3 6-2 in the semi-finals, fended off spectacular retrieving by Jankovic with her power game to clinch a third US Open crown but her first here since 2002.

"I'm so excited," a beaming Williams said. "It is that special because I've been working so hard.

"And I wasn't even going for number one and it's just like an added bonus."

On a warm night at Flushing Meadows, the fourth seed won a long opening service game but Jankovic, in her first Grand Slam final, held serve and broke to lead 2-1 when Williams netted a backhand.

The American then stepped up a gear, using her greater power to win four straight games to lead 5-2.

Jankovic held and broke back in the ninth game when her opponent netted a backhand but Williams broke for a third time to wrap up the opening set when the Serbian pushed a forehand long.

Williams held her opening serve in the second set but a scrambling Jankovic saved two break points in the next to stay on level terms.

The pair shared a series of exhausting rallies as they stayed on serve to 3-3, although Jankovic had to save another two break points to keep on terms.

Jankovic netted a forehand pass to hand Williams two break points in the sixth game but the Serbian saved both, before breaking to lead 4-3 when Williams netted a drop shot.

The Serbian held for 5-3 and when Williams trailed 0-40, she had three set points but the American saved them all before forging ahead 0-40 on the Jankovic serve.

In a marathon 10th game, Jankovic saved five break points and forced a fourth set point, only to double-fault and then lose her serve before Williams held to lead 6-5.

Jankovic saved one match point with a heavy forehand but Williams forced another and then clinched her third US Open title with a crunching backhand winner before leaping for joy.

Reuters

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  1. Hey, I'm an open minded girl from UK, I'm­ interested in exotic things, photography, dating and­ sports...I have my photos on --- T a l l h u b Co m­ ---, I love tall guys!
    Do you love traveling and have­ some experience? Just find me out.

    From mollyro05, on Thu 12 Mar 6:40PM

  2. Jelena kraljica;)

    From Who Cares?, on Fri 17 Oct 8:52PM

  3. When the Cats are away the Mice play,i wonder who the mice are cos one of the mice thrashed Henin the cat in Miami quarters

    From ede o, on Mon 15 Sep 4:30PM

  4. 204-dont understand ur comment.are you sure you are in the proper site?

    From franklin b concience, on Fri 12 Sep 10:02AM

  5. To the writer of comment 203- do you mean mice?

    From Ben O, on Thu 11 Sep 9:36PM

  6. 199 we do not abuse serena rivals but only abuse the supporters of her rivals when they abuse queen serena for anything other than her tennis.194 if mediocrity rules in women tennis then those serena rules over must be below mediocre too.195-if serena did not play enough tournaments she would not have ammassed enough points to be number one-so what if she rules for only one day,atleast she has ruled.

    From franklin b concience, on Thu 11 Sep 8:34PM

  7. Ilove Serena, honestly her battle with Jelena was amazing as well... but deeply analized its that kind of " WHEN THE CATS ARE AWAY THE MISE WILL PLAY" imagine if Justine Hennin was here!!

    From eldred d, on Thu 11 Sep 7:46PM

  8. bob 197 bob -- U R totally wrong about her
    --- she is most incrediby ugly--- most unbeliveably fat -- too stinking rich
    only $500 million so far from rag trade business

    having asked her to marry me -has no sense - she turned me down !
    apparently men are not her first choice

    From thomsons34, on Tue 9 Sep 9:11PM

  9. yes -- we have noticed too

    anyone writing to support serena -- must always add

    abrasive abusive remarks about other star dancers -- so sad & unnecessary

    From thomsons34, on Tue 9 Sep 7:27PM

  10. well said allison 198

    why do all 'fans' followers of popular tennis queen serema

    find it necessary to abuse so many other rival players

    From controlclimate, on Tue 9 Sep 4:27PM

  11. PLEASE TELL ME WHY WE HAVE THE SAME MESSAGES OVER AND OVER AGAIN ON THIS MESSAGE BOARD.
    MOST OF THEM ARE SO INSULTING AND DOWNRIGHT RUDE AND RACIST GET RID OF THEM EUROSPORT
    ALISON MERRITT

    From AJ, on Tue 9 Sep 2:32PM

  12. The spirit keeps moving on. Keep it going gurl and not even the red light should stop yu. Keep it green alwayz. I love victory and so love victorious people like Serena.

    From ekyozor, on Tue 9 Sep 10:53AM

  13. Serena's reign as number one will be short lived unless she gets off her fat butt and plays more tournaments !!

    From Tim, on Tue 9 Sep 10:53AM

  14. Mediocrity rules in women's tennis !!

    From Tim, on Tue 9 Sep 10:33AM

  15. Throwing the racquet then jumping around several times sure is the best way to display your joy. I mean all the other grand-slam winners do it

    From Sda, on Tue 9 Sep 6:44AM

  16. 187,cld this be the abj jinadufemi,wit the 206.kudos Godson.

    From franklin b concience, on Tue 9 Sep 3:32AM

  17. SERENA YOU ARE SIMPLY THE BEST.

    From gloriaanuga, on Tue 9 Sep 12:42AM

  18. Serena simply the best

    From gloriaanuga, on Tue 9 Sep 12:40AM

  19. bravo Jelena

    From sv.porfirije, on Tue 9 Sep 12:31AM

  20. Serena won but Jankovic was amazing as well. She is such a personality.

    From Goran D, on Mon 8 Sep 10:05PM
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