Teenager Andreescu Upsets Record Chasing Serena Williams In US Open Final

8th September 2019 - by AFP

The 19-year-old became the youngest Grand Slam winner since Svetlana Kuznetsova at the 2004 US Open

Bianca Andreescu of Canada poses with the trophy after her US Open Championships women's singles final match against Serena Williams (not seen) of USA at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, United States on September 7, 2019. PHOTO | AFP

SUMMARY

Teenager Bianca Andreescu became Canada's first Grand Slam singles champion Saturday with a rollercoaster 6-3, 7-5 win over 23-time major champion Serena Williams in the US Open final
She improved her record over top-10 opponents this season to 8-0 and will rise to a career-high ranking of fifth on Monday
Andreescu tied Monica Seles, who lifted the 1990 Roland Garros trophy in her fourth major, for the record as the fastest player to win her first Slam title in the Open era

NEW YORK, United States- Teenager Bianca Andreescu became Canada's first Grand Slam singles champion Saturday with a rollercoaster 6-3, 7-5 win over 23-time major champion Serena Williams in the US Open final.

The 19-year-old Andreescu became the youngest Grand Slam winner since Svetlana Kuznetsova at the 2004 US Open, handing Williams a fourth consecutive defeat in the final of a major to again deny her a record-equaling 24th Slam title.

"It's so hard to explain in words but I'm just beyond grateful and truly blessed. I've worked really, really hard for this moment," said Andreescu, who had won just two Grand Slam matches ahead of her US Open main draw debut.

She improved her record over top-10 opponents this season to 8-0 and will rise to a career-high ranking of fifth on Monday.

"This year has been a dream come true. Being able to play on this stage against Serena, a true legend of the sport, is amazing.

"It wasn't easy at all. I tried to prepare my best like I do every match, I tried not to focus on who I'm playing. I'm really proud of how I dealt with everything."

Andreescu tied Monica Seles, who lifted the 1990 Roland Garros trophy in her fourth major, for the record as the fastest player to win her first Slam title in the Open era.

Williams, 37, suffered a second finals loss in a row at Flushing Meadows, after a 2018 defeat against Naomi Osaka best remembered for a furious tirade against chair umpire Carlos Ramos.

"Bianca played an unbelievable match, I am so proud and happy for you. It was incredible tennis out there. If anyone could win this, outside of Venus, I'm happy it's Bianca," Williams said.

Appearing in a 33rd Grand Slam final, and fourth since the last of her 23 major titles, Williams made an inauspicious start at Arthur Ashe Stadium by conceding her opening service game with successive double faults.

Andreescu, who wasn't even born when Williams won her maiden Slam at the 1999 US Open, responded with a comfortable hold, a pattern that repeated itself until the Canadian threatened to run away with the opening set.

Serving at 2-4, Williams erased five break points with a combination of aces and booming groundstrokes but Andreescu was knocking on the door once more as the American served to stay in the set.