Serena Williams shows no signs of fading, matches Federer

Wednesday, 11 September 2013 01:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: It has been 14 years since Serena Williams won her first US Open but there was no hint of decline as the 31-year-old American outlasted Victoria Azarenka to claim her fifth US Open singles title on Sunday. Initially frustrated by a swirling wind at Arthur Ashe Stadium and shaken by Azarenka’s second set comeback from 4-1 down, Williams regained the momentum in the third set with her power and range of strokes propelling her to a 17th grand slam title.

Williams will be 32 later this month but she seems far from even contemplating life after tennis. “I feel great. I have never felt better. I feel really fit,” she said. “I can play a tournament like this, singles, doubles, with tough, tough schedules. For the most part, I felt really good.” “I haven’t felt like this in a number of years. I’m excited about the possibilities. I don’t know what can happen. I just keep playing and do the best that I can.” Certainly Azarenka, who put up a brave fight throughout and looks easily the most likely to take over Williams’ mantle whenever she does retire, had no doubts about the qualities of her opponent. “She’s a champion, and she knows how to repeat that. She knows what it takes to get there,” said the Belarussian. “I think it’s incredible what she’s achieving. She’s playing definitely her best tennis right now. It is just really exciting for me to be able to compete against that type of player who can be the greatest of all time.” The 17th slam victory puts Williams on a par with Roger Federer among contemporary players of both genders and brings her within one title of Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, the fourth most successful women of all-time. “It’s an honour to be even with Roger,” said Williams, “He’s been such a great champion throughout the years, and he’s just an unbelievable competitor and he’s still playing, and he can probably still win more.”