2014 US Open Women's Final

Williams v Wozniacki.

Here we are, the match which is now the main event of this year's tournament in the eyes of the broadcasters. Serena Williams, the golden girl of US tennis for over a decade now, against Wozniacki, the dangerous Dane.

The head-to-head currently stands at 8-1 in favour of Williams so does that mean the match is over before it starts? Not quite. The players have met each other twice already during this American hard court swing and both times Wozniacki took the first set before going onto lose in 3. This tells us already that the first set isn't of great importance to Williams - indeed she's lost the first set no fewer than 4 times yet still won each one.

What we do know is that Wozniacki's new attacking game is troubling a lot of players including Williams. She's beaten Sharapova here already and looked imperious in all other completed matches. Wozniacki has now developed a game which has allowed her to go for her shots more often but also allowed her to also use her impressive court coverage to defend the back of the court. Keeping Williams off balance and getting as many balls back in play as possible will be key in this match.

My prediction? I certainly can't back against Williams here. She's yet to drop a set and was utterly unplayable against Makarova with only a minor hiccup at the end. She should win this but it wouldn't surprise me if it went the distance. The first set is key - if Woznacki wins it, she'll believe and the pressure might start to get to Williams. If Williams takes it, the match is as good as over.

Quite looking forward to this. I'd love Wozniacki winning a slam, but I think the Williams slump is over. Going with Williams in straights.

At 33 and easily #1 in rankings, Serena must still feel quite a bit of pressure. She knows that time is ticking away and the past three Majors this year, she's failed to produce. Could come out and dominate, but if that serve isn't firing and Wozniacki plays her sharp angles....??

Changes are Serena will win a close-ish first set, then run away, so at this stage, HAD I to place a wager - would be for Serena 7-5, 6-2. Onwards.....

I forgot there was the men's doubles final today too. The Bryans are going for their 100th career title in men's doubles today and find themselves against the former number 2 pairing Granollers and Lopez. Form would dictate that the Bryans win this match but, majorless this year, they might have seeds of doubt creeping into their minds. If they were on 98 titles or 100 exactly I'd easily back them to win but with that milestone hanging over them... If they can defend Mike's serve and then go after Lopez I think we'll see history.

Serena's movement can be exploited against her, by playing outside her hitting zone. Drops and slices and angles pushing her out wide in Ad/Deuce courts is better strategy vs a baseline hitting contest that only Clijsters/Henin could possibly win.

Bryans have the added pressure of being on home concrete.

I like Serena, always have... But I really really want CW to win. She's played great, reacted very well to a challenging personal situation and is the woman I've most enjoyed watching this tournament.

She's massively improved her attacking play, and the way she transitions from defence into attack. And I would like her to be rewarded for that. Unfortunately, I think if Serena plays quite well she'll be too good.

Bryans win fairly easy - 6-3 6-4.

Now we have the main event.

Wozza looks very nervous. I fear this may be over in a blink.

Serena's dress is a smidge too short for my liking. I'm seeing too much thigh.

The Special Juan wrote:Serena's dress is a smidge too short for my liking.  I'm seeing too much thigh.

Stop checking Dudes out Juan

Only Serena is capable of beating herself. If she plays half decent, she'll win in straights. But for all her vaunted mental strength (some ridiculously claimed she's stronger mentally than any ATP player), she's prone to massive yips when real pressure is applied. Her footwork totally breaks down, the pop in her ball striking evaporates and she looks an emotional mess. I don't know if Wozniacki has the weapons to apply the pressure.

The Special Juan wrote:Serena's dress is a smidge too short for my liking.  I'm seeing too much thigh.

Hadn't noticed. Was too focussed on Wozza's thighs.

Fernando wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:Serena's dress is a smidge too short for my liking.  I'm seeing too much thigh.

Stop checking Dudes out Juan

Quiet you!!

Well..... this isn't of the highest quality. Wozniacki's hit a total of 1 winners and Serena is splaying the ball everywhere.

I wouldn't go as far as to say this is a choke from Wozniacki because she has nothing to thow away but she's frozen stiff out here. She's got no zip on her groundstrokes, has only hit 1 winner so far and she looks as though she's running through syrup.

Yeah she is frozen. She played with depth and fizz against Sharapova, going for her shots. No sign of that tonight. It takes courage to risk it all to try and win.

I just hope she goes on the front foot for the remainder of this match. Doubt it'll change the outcome, but she'll have less regrets.

It wouldn't surprise me if she was suffering from something. I know she mentioned being in bed for the 2 days preceding her match with Peng so perhaps she's sick.

Wozniacki's 2nd winner of the match!! Another ace.... There was a bit more of a purpose on those groundies there so perhaps she's turned a corner.

She's up to 3 winners now.

Still don't know how on earth Wozniacki managed to rule at no.1 - and for a very long time - plus so many tournament victories at all levels other than the Slams. If Serena or Sharapova or Azarenka or basically any woman with decent weapons and an aggressive game turn up against her, it's basically curtains. She actually has the athletic physique to play with far more power than she does.

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT'S A NON-SERVICE WINNER FROM WOZNIACKI!

Pretty terrible match but Serena wins the tournament without dropping a set - the most games she dropped in a set was 3!! 4 more titles needed to tie Steffi. She's got a chance, you know.

It was not the best final she ever played, but in the end Serena blew away her good friend Wozniacki at three and three to take home her 18th singles Grand Slam title....