And for the final time here …
THIS
IS
REAL
LIFE***@ Bandreescu _|# USOpenpic.twitter.com/wcWtjeyTdj
– US Open Tennis (@usopen)September 7, 2019
Andreescu went up 5-1 in the second set and served for the victory there, even holding a match point at 40 – 30. But Williams erased that with a forehand return winner off a 105 mph serve.
That launched a four-game run for Williams, who broke Andreescu again to make it 5-all. The Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd was overwhelmingly supporting Williams, not surprisingly, and spectators got so loud as she tried to put together a successful comeback that Andreescu covered her ears with her hands after one point.
Suddenly, this was a contest.
Or so it seemed.
But as well as Andreescu handled everything – herself, her far-more-experienced and successful opponent, and even the moment – Williams was far from her best, especially while serving. She got broken for the sixth time in the final game.
The 19 – year- old Andreescu is the first woman to win the trophy at Flushing Meadows in her main-draw tournament debut in the Open era, which started in 1968 when professionals were allowed into Grand Slam tournaments. She only has participated in four majors in her brief career.
Just think: A year ago, Andreescu was losing in the opening round of qualifying.
On Saturday, there she was, putting her hands on her head, dropping her racket and then pumping her fists when it ended. After a hug from a smiling Williams at the net, Andreescu kissed the blue court and rolled onto her back, soaking in the applause.
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