By Kate Joseph
Staff Writer
The 2014 US Open Women’s Singles came to a close on Sunday, Sept. 7, when Serena Williams defeated Caroline Wozniacki 6-3, 6-3.
This victory follows shortly after Williams ranked fourth, second and third, at the 2014 Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon, respectively.
At 32 years old, Williams is ranked the No. 1 Women’s Tennis player in the world and holds 18 Grand Slam singles titles, six of which are from championing the US Open.
“It was such a wonderful feeling,” Williams told USopen.org. “It is a pleasure for me to win my first Grand Slam at the US Open and now win No. 18 here. It’s so emotional for me. I couldn’t ask to do it in a better place.”
Williams kicked off her 15th shot at the Open by defeating 18-year-old Taylor Townsend, 6-3, 6-1.
“I was playing against one of my tennis idols, someone I’ve been watching for years and years,” said Townsend in an interview with USopen.org. “I just tried to go out on the court and really have a good time, embrace the moment, embrace the crowd and just use it.”
In the following three rounds, Williams shut out her competitors Vania King (6-1, 6-0), Varvara Lepchenko (6-3, 6-3) and Kaia Kanepi (6-3, 6-3).
The Quarterfinals pitted Williams against Italian native Flavia Pennetta who is ranked 16th overall in the world.
“I mean, it’s positive,” said Pennetta. “Because from the beginning of the tournament, if you ask me the first day to get in the quarterfinal, have the chance to play Serena… when you lose, you feel you’re upset. You’re not happy. But [it’s] a good tournament. [It’s] still is a good tournament.”
In the last round before the final game, Ekaterina Markarova fell to Williams in the Semifinals, 6-1, 6-3.
“I lost against number one,” said Markarova. “She was too good today. I think still was – it was a good match and we had great points. Yes, she was definitely better today than me.”
Despite losing to Williams in the final round, runner-up Wozniacki respects her competitor’s talent.
“You know, I admire her both on and off the court,” said Wozniacki. “I definitely think when Serena is on her game there’s not much we can do. So, you know, I think that’s why she has so many titles that she has.”
When asked about Wozniacki, Williams had the same to say.
“She’s so consistent,” said Williams. “I think that’s one of the things that makes her really tough.”
Williams, along with sister Venus Williams, were quarterfinalists in the Grand Slam doubles tournament after falling to Makarova and Elena Vesina, 6-1, 6-0.
The pair earned second place in Women’s Singles at Wimbledon earlier this year and have won 13 titles overall.
The next Grand Slam tournament, the Australian Open, begins on Jan. 19 in Melbourne, Australia.
