Accessibility links

Breaking News

Azarenka Loses To Williams In U.S. Open Final


Victoria Azarenka of Belarus reacts after her defeat to Serena Williams in their women's singles finals match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York on September 9.
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus reacts after her defeat to Serena Williams in their women's singles finals match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York on September 9.
World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus narrowly failed in her bid to win a second grand slam title, this time on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows, New York.

Azarenka, who's been top ranked on the women's tour since early July, lost to American Serena Williams 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 after Williams mounted a furious comeback in the third and deciding set.

Azarenka was two points from victory at 5-3 in the third set before Williams rallied back.

It is Williams' fourth U.S. Open title and 15th Grand Slam title overall.

Williams hadn't dropped a set at the tournament before the finals.

Coming into the match, Azarenka was 1-9 against Williams and was playing in only her second Grand Slam final.

She started the year with a breakthrough showing at the Australian Open, becoming the first Belarusian tennis player ever to win a Grand Slam singles title.

Azarenka, a right-hander with a grunt that is among the loudest in the women's game, moved from her native Minsk to Arizona to train at the age of 16.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG