Serena Williams Ousts Opponent, Wins Fifth US Open

Words by Alyson Robinson

On September 8th, tennis superstar Serena Williams won the U.S. Open. The champion successfully played her Belarusian opponent to defend her 2012 title.

Victoria Azarenka took her chances but lost against Williams, who can now count this win as her fifth U.S. Open title and can add a little extra to her already large bank account.Williams took home a cool $2.6 million in prize money for the win.

“She’s a champion, and she knows how to repeat that. She knows what it takes to get there. I know that feeling, too. And when two people who want that feeling so bad meet, it’s like a clash,” Azarenka said, pounding her fists together.

“Vika’s such a great opponent, such a great fighter,” Williams said, “and that’s why she’s been able to win multiple Grand Slams. That’s why it was never over until match point.”

Both players started the match neck to neck in the first set that Williams won 7-5.  Azarenka provided a challenge for Williams and kept it a close match right until the end of the set. The second set saw Azarenka winning at 7-6. Williams went full-force to complete the third set, 6-1.

“Vika’s such a great opponent; she’s such a fighter,” Williams said after the match. “It was never over until match point.”

Williams, who turns 32 on Sept. 26, raised her Grand Slam singles title count to 17, the sixth-most in history and one shy of Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. Williams collected a $3.6 million prize, including a $1 million bonus for producing the best results during the North American summer hard-court circuit leading up to the US Open.

She also became the first woman to top $50 million in career earnings. Her $50.9 million total is $22.1 million more than sister Venus, who is second on the list at $28.8 million.

Congratulations Serena!

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