New York: Former World number 1. Serena Williams exhibited sheer grit and determination to beat World number Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 in the US Open final on Sunday to win her 15th singles Grand Slam title.

Williams who did not drop a set in the entire tournament until now took the opening set quite easily and it looked like it would be a lopsided affair, but then Belarusian Azarenka came back strongly in to restore parity.

The decider was an intense affair and Azarenka had was just two games away from her second Grand Slam but then she faltered and the veteran US player romped home winning the last four games.

Azarenka was on a 1-9 record against Serena, but then the way she was playing it looked like that record would hardly have a bearing on the result. 

Serena who had a wonderful year 2012 had won the Wimbledon, Olympic and now the US Open is the oldest player after Martina Navratilova to win the US Open since 1987. Serena turns 3 this September 26.

By Indian Sports News Network