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'Shocked' Williams wins U.S. Open final thriller

Sep 9th 2012, 23:51

Serena Williams of the United States returns a shot during the women's singles final match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus on Sunday, September 9, in New York. See more U.S. Open action here.

Azarenka returns a shot against Williams.

Williams runs to make a shot against Azarenka.

Williams slides while returning a shot.

Azarenka emerges from the shadows.

Williams serves during the women's singles final match.

Serena Williams beats world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka in the final of the U.S. Open
It was the first time in 17 years that the women's title match went to three sets
She becomes first 30-something woman to win a grand slam since 1987
Williams wins her 15th grand slam title, adding to Wimbledon and Olympic crowns

(CNN) -- Serena Williams battled back from the brink of defeat to claim her 15th grand slam title and win the U.S. Open for the fourth time with a 6-2 2-6 7-5 victory over world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka on Sunday.

The American added to her 2012 Wimbledon and Olympic crowns after being pushed to the limit by the Australian Open champion, who forced the 30-year-old to drop her first set of the tournament.

"I honestly can't believe I won. I was preparing my runner-up speech because she was playing so well," Williams said courtside after the match, which lasted two hours 18 minutes.

"I'm so shocked. It's remarkable."

It was the first time in 17 years that the women's final went the distance in New York, and it ended Azarenka's run of 12 successive victories in matches lasting three sets.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over David Ferrer of Spain in the men's singles semifinal match at the 2012 U.S. Open on Sunday, September 9. The tournament, the last grand slam event of the year, continues through Monday in Queens, New York.

Djokovic serves to Ferrer as their match resumes Sunday after being delayed Saturday because of inclement weather.

Ferrer returns a shot to Djokovic on Sunday.

Djokovic reacts to winning a point against Ferrer during the match Sunday.

Ferrer, the No. 4 seed, serves to Djokovic, the No. 2 seed, Sunday.

Djokovic returns a shot against against Ferrer during their men's singles semifinal match of the 2012 US Open on Saturday, September 8. The match was stopped in the middle of the first set due to approaching severe weather and resumed on Sunday.

Ferrer follows through his shot against Djokovic on Saturday.

Djokovic comes down on the ball while playing Ferrer on Saturday.

Spectators evacuate the Arthur Ashe Stadium during Ferrer and Djokovic's match as severe weather approached on Saturday.

British Andy Murray returns a shot against Czech Tomas Berdych during his men's singles semifinal match in the 2012 U.S. Open on Saturday, September 8.

Murray of Great Britain argues with the chair umpire Pascal Maria and Berdych on Saturday after the wind blew his hat off during their match.

Berdych slams the ball onto Murray's side of the court on Saturday.

Murray celebrates after winning a point against Berdych on Saturday.

Rain falls on center court in Arthur Ashe stadium, causing officials to suspend play on day 13 of the 2012 U.S. Open on Saturday, September 8.

Grounds crew workers clear water during a rain delay on Saturday.

Belarus' Victoria Azarenka stares down the ball during her women's singles semifinals match against Russia's Maria Sharapova during the U.S. Open on Friday, September 7.

Sharapova returns a shot against Azarenka on Friday.

Stefan 'Redfoo' Gordy of the American electro duo LMFAO attends the women's singles semifinal match between Azarenka and Sharapova on Friday.

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus celebrates match point against Sharapova on Friday.

Sarah Errani of Italy serves in her match against Serena Williams of the United States during a women's singles semifinal match Friday.

Williams makes a return in her match against Errani.

Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan of the United States pose with their trophy after their men's doubles final match against Leander Paes of India and Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic on Friday.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates match point during his men's singles quarterfinal match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina on Thursday, September 6.

Juan Martin del Potro returns a shot against Novak Djokovic on Thursday.

Djokovic returns a shot.

Juan Martin del Potro reacts at the net on Thursday.

Djokovic lunges to make a return.

Spain's David Ferrer celebrates his men's singles quarterfinal victory over Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic on Thursday.

Ferrer returns a shot against Tipsarevic during their quarterfinal match.

Tipsarevic makes a backhand return to Ferrer.

Tipsarevic slips on the court while attempting a return shot.

Ekaterina Makarova of Russia and Bruno Soares of Brazil celebrate after defeating Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic and Marcin Matkowski of Poland to win their mixed doubles final match on Thursday.

Eugenie Bouchard of Canada returns a shot against Victoria Duval of the U.S. on Thursday.

Ipek Soylu of Turkey wipes her face during a break against American Chalena Scholl during their girl's juniors singles match on Thursday.

Andy Roddick of the United States salutes the crowd after losing his final career match to Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their men's singles fourth-round match at the 2012 U.S. Open on Wednesday, September 5.

Coach Larry Stefanki, left trainer Doug Spreen, wife Brooklyn Decker and agent Graham Cross watch Roddick in his final match on Wednesday.

Del Potro plays returns a backhand to Roddick on Wednesday.

Roddick chases down the ball during his match against del Potro on Wednesday. Roddick announced he would retire after this Grand Slam.

Russian Maria Sharapova serves to France's Marion Bartoli during their women's singles quarterfinal match on Wednesday.

Bartoli returns a shot against Sharapova on Wednesday.

NBA basketball player Tyson Chandler and his daughter Sacha-Marie attend the U.S. Open on Wednesday.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic pulls back to return a shot to Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland during his men's singles fourth-round match on Wednesday.

Wawrinka carries his broken racquet off the court during his match on Wednesday against Djokovic.

Italian Sara Errani returns a shot against countrywoman Roberta Vinci during Wednesday's women's singles quarterfinal match.

Vinci serves to fellow Italian Errani on Wednesday.

Serbian Janko Tipsarevic clenches his fist after a play against German Philipp Kohlschreiber on Wednesday.

France's Marion Bartoli reacts to a point against Maria Sharapova of Russia on Wednesday.

Attendants get the court ready for Wednesday's match between Bartoli and Sharapova.

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Samantha Stosur of Australia to win their women's singles quarterfinals match on Tuesday, September 4.

David Ferrer of Spain returns a shot against Richard Gasquet of France during their men's singles fourth-round match on Tuesday.

Samantha Stosur of Australia returns a shot against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus on Tuesday.

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus reacts against Samantha Stosur of Australia on Tuesday.

Spectators shelter under umbrellas as rain delays play during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Maria Sharapova of Russia and Marion Bartoli of France on Tuesday.

Samantha Stosur of Australia makes a return shot in her women's singles match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

Roberta Vinci serves as she and Italian teammate Sara Errani play a women's doubles quarterfinals match on Tuesday.

The braids of Victoria Azarenka of Belarus swing with her follow-through during her match on Tuesday.

A grounds crew dries the court Tuesday after rain suspended play.

Julia Goerges, left, of Germany and Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic react after a point against Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy on Tuesday.

American Serena Williams returns a shot Monday.

Mike Bryan, right, and Bob Bryan of the United States bump chests in celebration during their doubles match against Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico and Scott Lipsky of the United States on Monday.

Sara Errani of Italy hits a return to Angelique Kerber of Germany during their women's singles match on Monday.

Marion Bartoli of France serves against Maria Sharapova of Russia on Tuesday.

Martin Klizan of Slovakia takes a tumble Monday.

Taylor Townsend of the United States serves during her doubles match on Monday.

Canadian player Milos Raonic of Canada prepares to serve on Monday.

Andy Roddick of the United States celebrates after defeating Fabio Fognini of Italy on Sunday, September 2.

Fognini wipes his face with a towel during his men's singles third-round match against Roddick.

Roddick returns a shot to Fognini.

Russia's Maria Sharapova returns a shot to Nadia Petrova of Russia and wins Sunday's match to move on to the quarterfinals.

Leonardo Mayer of Argentina hits a return to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during their men's singles third-round match Sunday.

Anna Tatishvili of Georgia celebrates a point during her women's singles fourth-round match Sunday against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany returns a shot to John Isner of the United States on Sunday.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia waves to the crowd Sunday after winning his men's singles third-round match against Julien Benneteau of France.

Benneteau returns a shot to Djokovic.

Djokovic serves to Benneteau.

Lleyton Hewitt of Australia hits a return to David Ferrer of Spain during their men's singles match Sunday.

Fernando Verdasco of Spain returns a shot to top-ranked Roger Federer of Switzerland during their men's singles match at the U.S. Open on Saturday, September 1.

Switzerland's Roger Federer returns a shot to Spain's Fernando Verdasco.

Maria Kirilenko of Russia tapes her racquet handle during a break in her match against Czech Andrea Hlavackova.

Hlavackova returns a shot against Kirilenko.

Frenchman Jeremy Chardy stretches to make a return against Slovakia's Martin Klizan.

Serbian Jelena Jankovic serves against Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska.

Ana Ivanovic of Serbia plays a shot against American Sloane Stephens.

Spain's Nicolas Almagro returns a shot to Jack Sock of the United States.

Venus Williams of the United States watches a match.

Serena Williams of the United States returns a shot against Russia's Ekaterina Makarova in their third-round singles match.

Spain's Feliciano Lopez of Spain hits a return to Andy Murray of Great Britain.

Murray reacts after defeating Lopez.

Milos Raonic of Canada serves in his match against James Blake of the United States.

Roberta Vinci of Italy serves against Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia during a women's singles third-round match.

Kei Nishikori of Japan serves the ball to Marin Cilic of Croatia during a men's singles match.

Australia's Lleyton Hewitt returns a shot to Luxembourg 's Gilles Muller in a men's singles second-round match.

Spectators inside a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium watch the second-round match between American Andy Roddick and Australia's Bernard Tomic.

Roddick celebrates a point during his men's singles second round match Tomic. Roddick, 30, who has announced he will retire after the U.S. Open, won in three sets.

Maria Sharapova of Russia returns a shot against Mallory Burdette of the United States during their women's singles third-round match.

Ryan Harrison of the United States reacts after a point against Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina in a second- round singles match. Del Potro won in four sets.

Czech Lucie Safarova serves to Russian Nadia Petrova of Russia during their third round match.

Jarkko Nieminen of Finland serves against John Isner of the United States.

American Steve Johnson returns a shot against Latvian Ernests Gulbis.

Samantha Stosur of Australia serves the ball against Varvara Lepchenko of the United States during their third-round match.

David Ferrer of Spain serves against Igor Sijsling of the Netherlands.

Varvara Lepchenko of the United States returns against Samantha Stosur of Australia.

Samantha Stosur of Australia serves against Varvara Lepchenko of the United States during a women's singles third round match.

Angelique Kerber of Germany celebrates match point after her women's second round match against Venus Williams of the United States on Day Four of the 2012 US Open on Thursday, August 30.

Venus Williams of the United States reacts during her women's second round match against Angelique Kerber of Germany.

Ana Ivanovic of Serbia returns a shot against Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden during their women's singles second-round match.

A ball boy stands by during the match between Kei Nishikori of Japan and Tim Smyczek of the United States.

Maria Kirilenko of Russia serves against Greta Arn of Hungary.

Pablo Andujar of Spain serves against Feliciano Lopez of Spain during their men's singles second-round match.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France jumps over the net while trying to return a shot against Martin Klizan of Slovakia.

Andy Murray of Great Britain plays a backhand during a practice session.

Nicolas Almagro of Spain lies on the court as he celebrates match point after his men's singles second-round match against Philipp Petzschner of Germany.

Philipp Petzschner of Germany reacts during his men's singles second round-match against Nicolas Almagro of Spain.

Philipp Petzschner of Germany slides during his men's singles second-round match against Nicolas Almagro of Spain.

Mardy Fish of the United States celebrates after defeating Nikolay Davydenko of Russia.

Tatjana Malek of Germany returns a shot during her women's singles second-round match against Sloane Stephens of the United States.

Sloane Stephens of the United States returns a shot during her women's singles second-round match against Tatjana Malek of Germany.

Sloane Stephens of the United States reacts during her women's singles second-round match against Tatjana Malek of Germany.

Kim Clijsters of Belgium reacts during her second round match loss to Laura Robson of Great Britain.

Italian Andreas Seppi hits a backhand during his men's singles first-round match against Spaniard Tommy Robredo.

Serbian Janko Tipsarevic serves against Guillaume Rufin of France.

Sisters and doubles partners Venus Williams, left, and Serena Williams of the U.S. take on U.S. players Mallory Burdette and Nicole Gibbs during their women's doubles first-round match.

France's Alize Cornet returns a shot during her women's singles second-round match against Czech Petra Kvitova.

Mikhail Youzhny of Russia reacts during his match against Gilles Muller of Luxembourg.

U.S. players Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan chest bump after winning match point in their men's doubles first-round match against Belgian players David Goffin and Steve Darcis.

Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina serves against Florent Serra of France.

Spain's Tommy Robredo poaches the ball during his men's singles first-round match against Italian Andreas Seppi.

The water fountain under the iconic unisphere produces a rainbow at the grounds of the National Tennis Center.

Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov serves to France's Benoit Paire.

Australian Samantha Stosur returns a shot during her women's singles second-round match against Romanian Edina Gallovits-Hall.

Benoit Paire of France wipes his face during his men's singles first-round match against Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov.

Luxembourg fans cheer on Mandy Minella during her women's singles second-round match against Czech Kristyna Pliskova.

Australian Lleyton Hewitt tosses his racquet during his men's singles first-round match against German Tobias Kamke.

Spain's David Ferrer returns a shot against South African Kevin Anderson.

Belgian Kim Clijsters, left, congratulates Britain's Laura Robson after their match.

Latvian Ernests Gulbis stretches for the fall during his men's singles first-round match against German Tommy Haas.

Venus Williams, left, and Serena Williams tap hands during their women's doubles first-round match.

Australian Casey Dellacqua serves against China's Na Li during their second-round match.

Britain's Johanna Konta serves to Hungarian Timea Babos during their women's singles first-round match on Day Two of the 2012 U.S. Open.

Serbia's Ana Ivanovic serves to Ukraine's Elina Svitolina during their women's singles first-round match.

Serbian Novak Djokovic looks on against Italian Paolo Lorenzi during their men's single first-round match.

France's Edouard Roger-Vasselin serves the ball against Italian Fabio Fognini of Italy.

Anne Keothavong of Great Britain returns a shot during her first-round match against Angelique Kerber of Germany.

France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga serves the ball against Karol Beck of Slovakia.

American Venus Williams returns to Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States.

Andrea Hlavackova of the Czech Republic celebrates after defeating Klara Zakopalova, also of the Czech Republic, in the first round.

Italy's Roberta Vinci returns a shot against Poland's Urszula Radwanska.

A worker climbs a ladder to adjust the board displaying the women's draw.

Slovakia's Karol Beck stretches to return a backhanded shot against France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Fans wait for an autograph from U.S. player Andy Roddick after he defeated U.S. player Rhyne Williams.

American Andy Roddick hits the ball against countryman Rhyne Williams during their first-round 2012 U.S. Open match in New York on Tuesday, August 28.

Roddick wears patriotic shoes for his match against Williams.

Golfer Sergio Garcia of Spain signs an autograph for a fan as James Blake of the United States and Lukas Lacko of Slovakia compete.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France serves against Karol Beck of Slovakia during their first-round match on day two.

Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland selects tennis balls during a match against Nina Bratchikova of Russia.

Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic hits against David Goffin of Belguim during their men's first-round match.

Roberta Vinci of Italy celebrates a shot against Urszula Radwanska of Poland.

Agnieszka Radwanska returns to Bratchikova.

Angelique Kerber of Germany returns a shot during her women's singles first-round match against Anne Keothavong of Great Britain.

Fireworks expload over Arthur Ashe Stadium during the opening ceremonies of the 2012 U.S. Open on Monday, August 27.

Fans watch fireworks as actress/singer Jordin Sparks performs the national anthem during the opening ceremonies.

Switzerland's Roger Federer serves to American Donald Young during their men's singles first-round match.

Donald Young reacts during his match against Roger Federer.

Roger Federer returns a shot to Donald Young.

Alec Baldwin, center, and his wife, Hilaria Thomas, right, watch the first day of action Monday at the U.S. Open.

A downpour interrupts play Monday at Flushing Meadows.

France's Marion Bartoli serves during her women's singles first-round match against American Jamie Hampton.

American James Blake celebrates a point during his men's singles first-round match against Lukas Lacko of Slovakia.

Russian Alex Bogomolov Jr. stretches to play a backhand against Andy Murray of Great Britain during their men's singles first-round match.

Andy Murray shakes hands at the net with Alex Bogomolov Jr. after winning his men's singles first-round match.

American Melanie Oudin returns a shot during her women's singles first-round match against Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic.

Florian Mayer of Germany serves to American Jack Sock.

Belgium's Kim Clijsters moves to return a shot during her women's singles first-round match against American Victoria Duval.

A spectator in a kangeroo costume cheers from the stands during the match between Tatsuma Ito of Japan and Matthew Ebden of Australia.

Maria Sharapova of Russia returns a shot to Melinda Czink of Hungary.

2012 U.S. Open: The best photos

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos

Sloane Stephens has had a great year on the WTA Tour, reaching two semifinals and making the fourth round of the French Open. Her success is built around an aggressive game which has led to comparisons with Serena Williams.

The 19-year-old American is extremely athletic and counts a speedy serve among her weaponry.

She also possesses a ferocious forehand which has been used to quell many oppenents this year. A strong showing at Wimbledon, where she reached the third round, was followed by her best ever performance at Roland Garros, eventually losing to U.S. Open champion Samantha Stosur in the fourth round.

Stephens' success in 2012 follows a successful career as a junior. She first picked up a racket when she was nine years old, and moved from California to a Florida tennis academy to hone her skills.

Her junior career included three consecutive doubles titles at the French Open, Wimbledon (pictured) and the U.S. Open with Timea Babos from Hungary (second left) in 2010.

According to Jeff Newman, tournament director at the Citi Open in Washington D.C., Stephens has the "it" factor. "She resonates with the fans and has a great personality," Newman says.

"People are looking for the next superstar -- someone to replace the Williams sisters -- and she certainly has the ability," says Newman.

Stephens is blessed with great sporting genes. Her mother Sybil Smith was a champion swimmer for Boston University, while her father John Stephens (pictured) was an NFL running back. They divorced when Sloane was a child, and he was killed in a car accident in 2009.

Sloane Stephens: Superstar in the making

Sloane Stephens: Tennis' rising star

Tennis star Venus Williams has relaunched her clothing label EleVen ahead of the U.S. Open. The 32-year-old took time out of her playing career to graduate from fashion school.

Williams has had a distinctive look since she first burst onto the scene in the mid-1990s. As a teenager she was well known for her braided hair.

As her career continued and her interest in fashion grew, Williams began to experiement with her on-court outfits. At the 2010 Australian Open, the seven-time grand slam champion sported this neon yellow number.

Williams lit up the clay at a WTA event in Madrid in 2010 with this risque red and black dress.

The former world No. 1 caused a stir by wearing flesh colored shorts under a corset dress at Roland Garros in 2010.

The 2010 season proved to be one of Williams' most experimental. But the American proved she can also stand out when observing the strict all-white code at Wimbledon.

At the final grand slam of 2010, Williams opted for a short pink dress with sparkly decoration at her home U.S. Open.

She began 2011 in equally bold style, turning out at the Australian Open in a yellow lattice dress.

Standing out from the crowd

Venus Williams wimbledon 2010

Venus Williams' fashion highs and lows

Serena Williams displays her "super crazy" hairstyle before her Cincinnati opener against Elena Daniilidou.

The American had her tresses in control for the start of the second-round match against the Greek qualifier.

But despite using what she called "an '80s scrunchie," Williams' hair soon fought its way free in the windy conditions.

It didn't stop her winning, but the in-form American was frustrated after making 44 unforced errors -- which she said was "unprofessional."

Williams has now won 35 of her last 36 singles matches, having claimed the Olympic women's title for the first time as well as defending her doubles crown with older sister Venus.

Venus also won her opening match in Cincinnati, beating Olympic semifinalist Maria Kirilenko of Russia as she kept her trademark long braids safely tied up.

Serena Williams battles 'crazy hair'

"Serena deserves to win. She showed how true a champion she is," Azarenka said. "I definitely gave it all today. Stepping off this court I will have no regrets."

Williams won the hard-court tournament for the first time as a 17-year-old in 1999, but has not enjoyed much success since her third win in 2008.

She lost in an ill-tempered final last year and was also fined in 2009 after being involved in another incident during her semifinal defeat.

The former world No. 1 won the opening set in just 34 minutes as she threatened to steamroller Azarenka as she has all opponents since bouncing back from her first-round defeat at the French Open.

However, unlike in their Wimbledon semifinal clash in July, her 23-year-old opponent picked herself up and dominated the second set with some power play of her own.

Azarenka broke to lead 2-1 in the deciding set but was immediately pegged back by the fourth seed.

A break to love in the seventh game put her in the position of serving for the title at 5-4, but Williams rallied to win the next three games and leave Azarenka in tears after missing a golden chance to win her second grand slam title.

Williams took her record in grand slam finals to 15-4, becoming the first 30-something to win a major since Martina Navratilova at the 1987 U.S. Open as she claimed the $1.9 million first prize.

It was the first time since 2002 that a woman has won Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in the same year, when Williams also won the French Open.

She joined her older sister Venus and Steffi Graf as the only women to win Wimbledon, the Olympics and the U.S. Open in the same year.

It has capped a remarkable comeback for Williams, who spent almost a year out of the game following her 2010 Wimbledon triumph.

She needed surgery after cutting her foot in a freak accident at a restaurant, and then suffered life-threatening complications when blood clots formed on her lungs.

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