Google Image/L.A. Times photo
“I’m so excited!” Serena Williams gushed after winning the women’s singles title at the U.S. Open yesterday. She is probably still celebrating today. This is the third U.S. Open and ninth Grand Slam title for Serena.
In heart-stopping play with thrilling strokes and expert swings, Serena beat Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 7-5, in New York’s Arthur Ashe stadium.
Serena jumped for joy and whooped it up at the end of the match. Some of that jubilance may be due to the $1.5 million check that goes along with the U.S. Open win. Jankovic got $750,000 for coming in second.
Serena is a fierce competitor. Part of her childhood was spent playing on public tennis courts in South L.A. with her equally talented sister Venus. In fact, Serena beat Venus in the quarterfinals on her way to this U.S. Open title.
This win puts Serena at the top of the world female tennis rankings for the first time since August of 2003.