‘Just Serena’: Williams’ upset win at US Open keeps the legend advancing in final days of her storied career
By Laura Bischoff
March 5, 2014Updated: March 10, 2014 1:04:04 PM
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Maria Sharapova
Serena Williams
Getty Images
Serena Williams’ remarkable win at the US Open on Tuesday was a major comeback after a string of poor results that had seen her win only once since the start of 2014.
After falling to No. 4 in the rankings, Williams rose to No. 2 after a win at Wimbledon to kick-start her comeback.
“It was the biggest comeback in my career,” Williams said.
Williams, who will become the only active, non-Grand Slam champion to win a major for nine years, will face Russian Katerina Siniakova in the women’s final on Friday (6:10 p.m. ET).
Williams, the first woman to win more than one major title (a total of nine), advanced by beating 19th-seeded Russian Siniakova 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-4 of Siniakova’s best result in five meetings against Williams, who is 5-0 in head-to-head battles with the Russian, who is 7-1 on their rivalry.
“I’m very, very happy with my performance,” Williams said. “I’m happy for myself. I’m happy for my team, the coaching staff, and everybody who helped me. I feel very grateful to the fans. This is the most satisfying win for me.”
Sharapova, who took Williams’ spot among the top five women in the world rankings, was the oldest woman to reach the quarterfinals at the US Open since the tournament started as a women’s event in 1971. She dropped only one set in a 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-4 win over American Dominika Cibulkova in the first round.
Sharapova has
