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GAME SET MATCH AND CHAMPIONSHIP FOR SERENA WILLIAMS

No woman has ruled Tennis World longer than Serena Williams, who, 14 years after she won her first slam title in New York as an ebullient teenager, took delivery of her fifth US Open championship as a seasoned champion by beating the breeze, her nerves and a final win over Victoria Azarenka in three sets. Williams served for the match twice in the second set and once in the third, and gave the loser proper credit for making it a gripping, wind-racked, error-strewn final. From a set and 1-4 down in wind that would have knocked Nelson off his poop deck, Azarenka forced a tie-break then a third session. After two hours and 45 minutes, Williams was as relieved as she was elated in celebrating a 7-5, 6-7, 6-1 victory. The Wind would have been a suitable changeover soundtrack. Williams, with the shorter swing, initially appeared equipped to handle the gusts more easily than Azarenka, who put a forehand long to give the American three break points at the start of the match; the winner Williams put past her opponent to break was fully loaded, giving the breeze no say. However, with the wind at her back after the changeover, she suffered the same difficulties as Azarenka and also hit long to drop serve. Between them this year they have won 11 titles and nearly $11million (£8.35m). Williams's haul has been impressive, a combined winner's cheque of $3.6m (after winning the US bonus challenge) taking her season's prize money past $9m, and her career swag past $50m. Only Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have earned more prize money in a single season. There can be no doubt Williams and Azarenka are the best two players in the world — and good friends. Their rivalry is a healthy one, and growing, but there were no concessions on final day, because both have much to prove at polar ends of their careers.