Serena Williams rallied as Victoria Azarenka served for victory, with the American winning her 15th Grand Slam title and fourth at the US Open on Sunday 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.
The struggle gave the 30-year-old Williams a New York trophy 13 years after winning her first.
Azarenka, the Australian Open champion, was denied a second major this season but will remain atop the rankings.
Azarenka was broken while serving for victory leading 5-4 in the final set. Williams fell on her back on the court when she clinched the win on her first match point as her Belarus opponent put a return long.
The final was the first on the women’s side to stretch to three sets since 1995.
Azarenka had not won a set against Williams in more than two-and-a-half years. Williams lost the New York final in 2011 against Samantha Stosur.
