Serena Williams claimed her fourth career U.S. Open women's championship on Sunday afternoon from Flushing Meadows, after edging top-ranked player Victoria Azarenka in a tight three-set match, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.
Williams opened the first set strong with a 6-2 victory after tallying 16 winners compared to Azarenka's two, but struggled with unforced errors in a frustrating 6-2 second-set loss. And despite only being able to land 50 percent of her first serves in the third and final set, Williams outlasted Azarenka down the stretch with her powerful forehand.
With her strong showing on Sunday, the 30-year-old Williams now has 15 career singles Grand Slam titles alone and 30 overall. And with victories at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open on her 2012 resume, Williams should enter the 2013 campaign as the undeniable favorite in women's tennis.
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