Serena Williams won the 18th Grand Slam title of her career on Sunday, beating Caroline Wozniacki 6-3, 6-3 to claim a third consecutive trophy at the US Open.
Williams joins Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert in the record books.
That pair of legends was on hand at the trophy ceremony to present Williams with an 18-carat gold bracelet to mark her achievement. The winner also collected 3 million dollars in prize money and 1 million dollars for winning the North American run-up series points race.
“It’s really a wonderful feeling,” said an emotional Williams. “It feels great.”
“I could not have imagined it working out any better,” she said. “I couldn’t have asked to set this record at a better place.” Williams described Wozniaki as “a great friend,” who “knows the struggles I’ve been through. We text every day.”
“Congratulations to Serena, she really deserved it today, She played better than me,” Wozniacki said.
“She’s such an inspiration on and off the court. You’re an unbelievable friend — and you definitely owe drinks later.”
Williams and Wozniacki got off to tentative starts on serve in the opening set, with a run of breaks finally halted as Williams took a 5-2 lead.
Woznaicki saved a set point in the eight game before Williams claimed the set 6-3. Wozniacki managed only one winner in the set, an ace in the fourth game.
Williams began to make a big impact on serve in the second set after starting with a break. Wozniacki served up her only love game of the afternoon for 3-4, with Williams then catching her flat-footed to take a 5-3 lead.
The top seed closed out the record-setting victory a game later when Wozniacki fired a backhand long on the first of two match points.
Williams then fell to the ground in joy and shock before starting her victory celebration.
