Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles.
One app.

Start reading

Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles. One news app.

Start reading

Reuters

Sport

Rory Carroll

Andreescu fends off Williams comeback to win U.S. Open

Sept 7, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Bianca Andreescu of Canada poses with the championship trophy after defeating Serena Williams of the United States in the women’s singles final on day thirteen of the 2019 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu claimed her first Grand Slam title in a hard-hitting, nerve-jangling 6-3 7-5 win over Serena Williams on Saturday that put the brakes on the American's bid to equal the all-time record.

Andreescu matched Williams' power throughout the slugfest and kept her composure under intense pressure to fend off a late comeback from the six-times champion.

Sep 7, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Serena Williams of the United States, left, and Bianca Andreescu of Canada pose with the second-place and first-place trophies after Andreescu wins the women's singles final on day thirteen of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

The 19-year-old dropped her racket after hitting a blistering forehand return winner on match point to seal victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium and collapsed on her back after embracing her defeated opponent.

"It's so hard to explain (what the win means) in words," Andreescu said.

"I'm just beyond grateful and truly blessed. I've worked really, really hard for this moment and I can't complain. This year has been a dream come true," she added before collecting her $3.85 million (£3.14 million) winner's cheque.

Sept 7, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Bianca Andreescu of Canada with the US Open championship trophy after beating Serena Williams of the USA in the women’s singles final on day thirteen of the 2019 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

"And now to be able to play on this stage against Serena, a true legend of the sport, is amazing."

Andreescu, the first Canadian to win a major in the professional era, prevented Williams from equalling Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

Williams, who has been denied the milestone in four slam finals since claiming her last major title at the Australian Open in 2017, was gracious in defeat.

Sep 7, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Serena Williams of the United States is interviewed by Tom Rinaldi after losing to Bianca Andreescu of Canada in the women's singles final on day thirteen of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

"Bianca played an unbelievable match," she said.

"If anyone else could win the U.S. Open -- except for Venus -- I'm glad it's Bianca," she said with a laugh, referring to her older sister who had cheered her on from the players' box, which also included Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex.

Sep 7, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Serena Williams of the United States reacts after losing to Bianca Andreescu of Canada in the women's singles final on day thirteen of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

IMMEDIATE PRESSURE

The fearless Andreescu pressured Williams from the outset, electing to receive after winning the coin toss and immediately breaking her childhood idol.

Shouting "come on" after winning key points, Andreescu's vicious forehands kept Williams on the back foot while costly errors, including a double fault on set point in the first, put the American in an early hole.

Sep 7, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Bianca Andreescu of Canada celebrates match point against Serena Williams of the United States in the women's singles final on day thirteen of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

With her back against the wall trailing 5-1 and facing championship point, Williams mounted a spirited comeback to draw level at 5-5, leading to deafening roars from the packed crowd in the biggest tennis stadium in the world.

Yet Andreescu, who covered her ears at times, regained her steely composure to cross the finish line with an emphatic forehand winner, her 19th of the match.

For Williams, her normally trusty serve proved her undoing.

Sept 7, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Bianca Andreescu of Canada (left) greets Serena Williams of the USA after the women’s singles final on day thirteen of the 2019 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

She only managed to put 44 percent of her first serves in play and her nine aces were almost offset by eight double faults, three of which came on break points.

Andreescu was the sharper of the pair, committing almost half as many unforced errors as Williams and thumping down five aces of her own.

While a fierce and fiery competitor on the court, Andreescu apologised to the disappointed crowd for beating the home favourite .

Sep 7, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Bianca Andreescu of Canada celebrates after match point against Serena Williams of the United States (not pictured) in the womenÕs final on day thirteen of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

"I know you guys wanted Serena to win. I'm so sorry," she said.

METEORIC RISE

While Andreescu was a virtual unknown before this year having never made it past the second-round of a Grand Slam tournament before, Saturday's breakthrough win did not register as a shock in the tennis world.

She had made her presence felt by storming to the Indian Wells title in March and after a knee injury forced her to pull out of the Miami and Rome tournaments earlier this year after just one match, she won the Rogers Cup in Toronto last month.

She came into Flushing Meadows seeded 15th and many thought her bruising groundstrokes, creative shotmaking and speedy defence would give any opponent trouble.