Serena Williams Beats Elina Svitolina to Reach 10th US Open Final, Going for 24th Major on Saturday
(September 5, 2019) FLUSHING MEADOWS, NY – Serena Williams looks to win her seventh US Open and 24th major on Saturday. Williams, the eighth seed beat fifth seed Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-1 to reach her 10th US Open final, her 33rd major final of her career. It was 20 years ago the Williams won her first major at the US Open at 17-years-old. Her win on Thursday night tied her with Chris Evert at 101 in all time wins at the US Open. She is now one ahead of her sister Venus.
In her on-court interview with ESPN, asked about all of her records, Williams said: “I don’t think about it. I just come out here and do what I can.”
In her news conference she commented further: “It’s pretty cool. I didn’t know that was even an option. That always makes it even more special when you hear those super cool things without even knowing.”
The match started out very close. The first two games took 16 minutes, but after the opening baseline battle, Williams was up 2-0 and held for 3-0. Both women held their serves for the rest of the set as Svitolina missed out on six break point opportunities.
“I think I didn’t start so bad,” the 24-year-old Svitolina said. “It was quite good start for me, I would say. And first two games I had the chances to break and then to hold. Had the chances, but in the same time she played really, really focused and very precise on those two games. After she served in the third game unbelievable.”
“I just wish I could take those opportunities, ” the fifth seeded added. It could be maybe a 2-All or 3-All instead of 0-3, which of course gives you lots of, you know, push to play more freely.”
Williams hit six aces in the match among her 34 total winners, 13 unforced errors, to the Ukranian’s 2 aces, 11 total winners and 17 unforced errors. Williams was four for eight on break point chances.
“I think she knows what she has to do,” Svitolina said of Serena going for her 24th major title. “She has unbelievable strength. She gives lots of power. There’s lots of power behind her shots all the time. That’s what makes her unbelievable, legendary tennis player.
“On the important moments, she step up, always step up, always brings her best game.”
“To be in yet another final, it seems honestly crazy,” said Williams. “But I don’t really expect too much less.
“I think today was solid. It definitely wasn’t my best tennis. It’s interesting that she (Svitolina) knows that. She’s a super professional to know that. She “probably could have played better, as well. I definitely know I could have played better.”
The American even threw in a serve and volley point which she won. She won a total of 66 points in the match to Svitolina’s 30. The match took only 70 minutes.
Williams said that she felt prepared for this major.
“Felt more prepared this tournament,” she said to media. “I mean, Wimbledon I probably had a week to prepare, so that was amazing. Australia, I was super prepared. I did great, then rolled my ankle. I shouldn’t have even played the French Open. That was just a bonus just to compete in another Grand Slam.
“I just feel like I actually had time to train. I trained more for — I joked I trained more for Canada than I did for any other tournament this year, which was kind of funny.
“I just had a really tough year with injuries, mostly bad luck. I just needed to get injury-free.”
Williams will play [15] Bianca Andreescu who defeated [13] Belinda Bencic 7-6 (3), 7-5 in the last night match which ended around 11:15pm.
Andreescu won the last five straight games to clinch the win, from 2-5 down in the second set.
Evaluating Andreescu: “She really knows how to mix up the game and play different shots in different ways. Above all, I just like her as a person. She’s amazing.”
“She’s a great player. She mixes things up. You never know what is going to come from her. She does everything else. She serves well, moves well, has a ton of power. She’s very exciting to watch. It’s good. I think it’s great for women’s tennis.”
Andreescu beat Williams in the final of Toronto when Williams retired with an injury during the second set of the match. Andreescu also won Indian wells in March and went off the tour to heal and arm injury.
Asked about what she’s learned since losing in 3 major finals since coming back from childbirth she said: “I don’t know. I haven’t really thought much about it, to be honest. I just knew I need to work harder, just do better. Like I said, Wimbledon, Simona played unbelievable. There was nothing I could do that day. Also, I didn’t have too much time to prep, and playing someone that played that unbelievable was just a deadly combination for me.”
Williams is looking to equal the all-time record for major titles at 24, and admitted that even if she had the record already she’d still be playing.
“I definitely would still be playing if I had already passed it,” she answered. “I’ve had so many chances to pass it and to have a lot more, but it’s cool because I’m playing in an era with so many — five eras with so many amazing.”
Being one of a handful of players to be mothers and win a major like Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Kim Clijsters, Williams is proud of herself and says it’s not easy.
“I think it’s amazing to come back with a baby and win because it’s hard. My day off isn’t a day off. I’m literally hanging out with baby, I’m doing activities with her. I don’t want her to forget me. I try to spend as much time with her.
“I’m a full-time mom first, foremost. That means the most to me. So, yeah, I train, and then I rush home. The other day I found a trampoline park I wanted to take her to. At the end of the day, that’s what matters to me, is just being there for my daughter.
“Being in a Grand Slam is difficult because it takes away a lot of time that we normally have together. At her age, she’s starting to really learn things. Her brain is processing things more. I want to be a part of that. I don’t want anything else to take that away.”
“I’ve wanted to play her,” said the Canadian 19-year-old Andreescu. “I remember always telling my team I would have always wanted to play her right before she retires.”
Williams won her first major title at the US Open in 1999 and Andreescu, was yet to be born.
This is the Canadian’s first main draw at the US Open. Last year she lost in the qualifying tournament. Who was the last woman to reach the final of the US Open in their first main draw? Venus Williams.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” said the Canadian. “She’s an amazing champion on and off the court. It’s going to be fun.”
“I remember watching her when I was about 10,” she added. “I don’t remember specifically a moment. I watched her win most of her Grand Slam titles. I think she’s fighting for her 24th on Saturday. I’m sure she’s going to bring her A game.
“I’m going to try to bring my A game, too. Hopefully I guess may the best player win.”
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