Fussing along with her skirt and flubbing her pictures, Serena Williams was troubled within the United States Open last by the swirling air and the robust play of Victoria Azarenka.
After one miss, Williams declared, "I am unable to play on this wind!"
After blowing a giant lead and dropping the second set, Williams chucked her racket towards the sideline, and it bounced again onto the court docket.
In the tip, Williams pulled herself collectively, as she normally does when it issues probably the most. Facing her solely take a look at of the previous two weeks, the No. 1-seeded Williams overcame No. 2 Azarenka 7-5, 6-7 (6), 6-1 on Sunday for a fifth championship at Flushing Meadows and second in a row.
Williams, who turns 32 on Sept. 26, raised her Grand Slam singles title rely to 17, the sixth-most in historical past and one shy of Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert.
Williams collected a $three.6 million prize, together with a $1 million bonus for producing the perfect outcomes in the course of the North American summer time hard-court circuit main as much as the United States Open.
She additionally grew to become the primary lady to prime $50 million in profession earnings. Her $50.9 million whole is $22.1 million greater than sister Venus, who's second on the checklist at $28.eight million.
Helped by 9 aces, one at 126 mph, Williams improved to 67-Four with a career-high 9 titles in 2013.
Since a first-round exit on the 2012 French Open, she is 98-5 with 14 titles, successful 4 of the previous six Grand Slam tournaments.
"Vika's such an ideal opponent, such an ideal fighter and that is why she's been in a position to win a number of Grand Slams. That's why it was by no means over till match level," Williams acknowledged.