Completed contract for Serena Williams: The always-favorite American woman entering a court qualified without a hitch on Thursday, September 5th, for her 10th US Open final, where she will face Canadian prodigy Bianca Andreescu in an attempt match the record of 24 Grand Slam titles held by Margaret Court.

The Queen of Flushing Meadows, 8th in the world and who will also be aiming for a 7th trophy at the US Open on Saturday, 20 years after winning her first Grand Slam title, eliminated Ukraine's Elina Svitolina (5th) 6-7 3, 6-1 in 1 h 10.

"There were long games at the beginning of the game and I know what she is capable of, she did not make two half-finals in a Grand Slam by chance ... So I wanted to hang on to not start too slow, "commented the 38-year-old American on September 26.

"To be in yet another final, it seems honestly crazy. But I do not really expect too much less. "- @serenawilliams https://t.co/3120wL1Ib2 | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/DXzYZ50OkT

US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 6, 2019

After the first two games, the younger sisters Williams dominated more and more clearly his opponent, making the points (34 winners) but also the mistakes (20 unforced errors). She even gratified the audience with a service-volley, which she won.

"That, you will not see it again! I wondered what I was doing there ... me, it's the baseline line!" She commented.

By beating Svitolina, Serena Williams also equaled the record of victories at Flushing Meadows (101) held by compatriot Chris Evert. "The records, I do not think about it, I come and do what I can on the court, but to be part of a club, whatever it is, alongside Chrissie is great!" she commented.

"It's unreal to play Serena in the final, it's a dream come true"

A finalist in 2018, Serena Williams has won the title six times (1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014), as Chris Evert. For the moment, no player has done better in the modern era.

Since returning from maternity in March 2017, Serena Williams has played three Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open 2018, as well as at Wimbledon 2019. But she has yet to win. She will have a new chance on Saturday, in front of an audience that adulates her.

Opposite, there will be Andreescu, 15th world at 19 years old and who had never passed the second round in Grand Slam. The Canadian of Romanian origin eliminated Belgian Belinda Bencic (12th) 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 in 2:13.

"It's unreal to play Serena in the final, it's a dream come true, it's crazy .., it's crazy ..." said Andreescu, who was led 2-5 in the second run before aligning five games in a row.

"If I had been told a year ago that I would be this year in the final of the US Open, I would have answered 'you are crazy'", added the player who, last year while she was ranked 208th at the WTA, had not passed the qualifications at Flushing Meadows.

Bianca Andreescu exploded this year with titles at Indian Wells and Toronto, where she took advantage of Serena Williams' retirement in the final.

In Australia in January she had reached the second round after qualifying. She had also reached the second round at Roland Garros before forfeiting a left shoulder injury which then caused her to miss the entire grass season, including Wimbledon.

With AFP