07 September 2019

Bianca Andreescu wins maiden Grand Slam title and stops Serena Williams' quest for history

Bianca Andreescu played the match of a lifetime to win the US Open final for her first Grand Slam title, and thwart Serena Williams’ hopes of a record-equalling 24th major.

The teenager showed incredible power and poise to beat the 37-year-old 6-3 7-5 in an hour and 39 minutes and held off a late surge from Williams to win in New York.

For Williams, it was a fourth straight Grand Slam final loss and her quest to equal Margaret Court’s all-time Grand Slam tally will have to wait till Australia next year.

Andreescu, who was born nine months after Williams’ first major final at the US Open in 1999, fell flat on the floor in the realisation she had become the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam.

The opening game began with an ace from Williams but two double faults allowed Andreescu a break to start her first major final.

In spite of trademark brilliance from Williams at points in the opening set, including down the line backhand winners and return forehand winners cross court, the 19-year-old continued to dominate the baseline to keep her lead.

Williams saved five break points in the thrilling seventh game, which lasted 10 minutes, but Andreescu once again recovered to show phenomenal ball striking and close out the set with another break - courtesy of another Williams double fault.

The boisterous New York crowd hoped for a comeback of the ages from their five-time champion, but for the third time in the match, Williams double faulted to hand a break to the Canadian in the opening game of the second set.

Serena Williams was left frustrated by her misses (PA Images)

Sustained brilliance from Andreescu saw her get the chance to serve for the title at 5-1 ahead, but Williams’ showed immense mental resolve to win four consecutive games and level the second set.

The greatest serve the women’s game has ever seen looked to have returned to Williams’ racket, but 23 minutes after her first championship point, Andreescu smashed a return forehand winner to stun the tennis world.

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