NEW YORK – Finally tested, even trailing, at the U.S. Open, Serena Williams turned things around just in time.
Two points from defeat, Williams suddenly regained her composure and her strokes, coming back to win the last four games and beat Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 on Sunday night for her fourth championship at Flushing Meadows and 15th Grand Slam title overall.
“I honestly can’t believe I won. I really was preparing my runner-up speech, because I thought, ‘Man, she’s playing so great,'” Williams said during the trophy presentation after the 2-hour, 18-minute match, adding: “I’m really shocked.”
Might be the only one.
After all, what really was stunning was that the top-ranked Azarenka made things as interesting as they were, given that she came into the day 1-9 against Williams.
Add in that Williams hadn’t dropped a set in the tournament, losing only 19 games through six matches before Sunday. All part of a tremendous run she is putting together in reaction to her loss at the French Open in late May, the American’s only first-round exit in 49 career major tournaments. Since then, she is 26-1, winning Wimbledon and the London Olympics.
? In the men’s final Monday, defending champion Novak Djokovic will face Olympic gold medalist Andy Murray.
Djokovic beat David Ferrer of Spain 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in a semifinal that was halted in the first set because of impending rain and wrapped up Sunday.
? Andre Agassi was inducted Sunday into the U.S. Open Court of Champions at Arthur Ashe Stadium before the women’s final.SUGAR LAND, Texas – Roger Clemens’ second start for the Sugar Land Skeeters had a special twist to it when the 50-year-old right-hander pitched to his son who was squatting behind the plate.
As enjoyable as it was on Friday night, it wasn’t enough to convince Clemens that he is ready for a return to the majors.
“At this point I don’t see that happening, because I just know my recovery time right now,” he said regarding pitching for Houston this season. “I think I’ve pushed my body and shoulder to where it needs to be.”NEW YORK – Arkansas has taken the second-largest fall out of the AP college football poll, dropping from eighth to unranked after losing Saturday.
The Razorbacks were upset 34-31 in overtime after losing quarterback Tyler Wilson to an injury. The only team to take a more drastic fall from the poll was Michigan in 2007. The Wolverines opened the season at No. 5 and dropped out after a Week 1 loss to Appalachian State.
Alabama remains No. 1. Southern California is No. 2, followed by LSU and Oregon. Florida St. moved into a tie for fifth with Oklahoma. Georgia is No. 7.
Arkansas was one of four teams to drop out after losses, along with Nebraska, Wisconsin and Oklahoma State.
Moving in were UCLA, Tennessee, Arizona and BYU.