Live Report: US Open women's final
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Williams is the first top-seeded champion since Justine Henin in 2007 and the first to defend the women's crown since Kim Clijsters in 2010.
She is also now the oldest women's US Open champion in the Open Era, surpassing the previous record set by Australia's Margaret Court.
Read on to find out how today's final unfolded -- and join me again tomorrow for the men's final between world number one Novak Djokovic and 12-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal. It is their 37th head-to-head match. The men's final is due to begin at about 2100 GMT Monday.
2345 GMT: Azarenka congratulates Serena on her win, and Williams enthusiastically applauds for her opponent.
Williams to the fans: "I definitely felt the love. Thank you all so much for the support."
Serena on Vika: "What an honor to play against you... Vika is such a great opponent, such a great fighter."
Williams earns $3.6 million for her efforts -- $2.6 million for the title, and a $1 million bonus for her top performance in the run-up to the Open.
Serena hoists the champion's trophy, to a thunderous ovation from the crowd.
2336 GMT: World number one Serena Williams wins her fifth US Open title, defeating world number two Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in three sets, 7-5, 6-7 (6/8), 6-1.
In defending her title at Flushing Meadows, the 31-year-old Williams has now won 17 Grand Slam titles, leaving her one short of the 18 won by both Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. Steffi Graf owns the Open Era record with 22.
Serena struggled early with the wind, but managed to take the first set 7-5. She served twice for the match in the second, but Azarenka battled back each time, and eventually won a tense tiebreak.
In the third, Williams proved the tougher of the two, breaking Azarenka to go up 3-1 and never looking back.
With the win, the American becomes the oldest women's winner in US Open history, surpassing Margaret Court, who had set the prior mark in 1973 at 31 years and 55 days old.
2335 GMT: WILLIAMS WINS HER FIFTH US OPEN TITLE, BEATING AZARENKA 7-5, 6-7 (6/8), 6-1
*WILLIAMS 7-5 6-7 (6/8) 5-1 AZARENKA (*Denotes upcoming server)
Serena breaks again. She will serve again for the match. She pumps her fist and yells out in excitement.
WILLIAMS 7-5 6-7 (6/8) 4-1 *AZARENKA (*Denotes upcoming server)
Serena serves with authority, ending the game with another powerful ace.
But, she led 4-1 in the second set, and Azarenka came back. Can Vika come back again?
*WILLIAMS 7-5 6-7 (6/8) 3-1 AZARENKA (*Denotes upcoming server)
Williams takes advantage of her second break chance when Azarenka double faults.
Serena looks like she is trying to conserve energy, hitting a lot of balls straight up the middle of the court and wearing Vika down. Azarenka has four unforced errors in this game alone.
Reminder: Williams will be 32 in a few weeks, and Azarenka turned 24 in July.
WILLIAMS 7-5 6-7 (6/8) 2-1 *AZARENKA (*Denotes upcoming server)
Serena holds and we're on serve. Azarenka nets a backhand to end the game.
Former US Open champion Maria Sharapova, who did not play this year due to injury, says on Twitter: "Watching the @usopen final. So many memories. Can't wait to be back there next year!"
Fun fact on long finals: the longest final since 1980, when finals were first timed, was in 1981, when Tracy Austin beat Martina Navratilova in 2hr 40min. We're at 2hr 22min already.
*WILLIAMS 7-5 6-7 (6/8) 1-1 AZARENKA (*Denotes upcoming server)
Solid hold for Azarenka and we are even in the third set. Serena fires off several unforced errors during the game.
WILLIAMS 7-5 6-7 (6/8) 1-0 *AZARENKA (*Denotes upcoming server)
Serena pumps her fist as she holds serve to open the third.
Match is now about two hours and 10 minutes old. Who will have the stamina to prevail?
*WILLIAMS 7-5 6-7 (6/8) AZARENKA (*Denotes upcoming server)
Azarenka shows some guts in taking the second set in a tense tiebreak. Serena seems a bit tight and Vika makes good on her third set point.
Winner of the third set takes it all. Serena to serve first.
SECOND SET TO AZARENKA 7-6 (8/6). WILLIAMS, AZARENKA TO PLAY THIRD SET DECIDER
WILLIAMS 6-7 AZARENKA. Good second serve from Vika, and she has another set point.
WILLIAMS 5-6 AZARENKA. Service winner from Serena.
WILLIAMS 4-6 AZARENKA. Serena nets backhand. Two set points for Vika.
WILLIAMS 4-5 AZARENKA. Vika comes to net and takes the point.
WILLIAMS 4-4 AZARENKA. Serena's backhand sails long. "The wind!" she says.
WILLIAMS 4-3 AZARENKA. Mis-hit from Vika, who takes a tumble. Serena yells, "Come on!"
WILLIAMS 3-3 AZARENKA. Serena misses the forehand volley.
WILLIAMS 3-2 AZARENKA. Gutsy swinging volley winner from Vika.
WILLIAMS 3-1 AZARENKA. Serena hits a cross-court backhand winner
WILLIAMS 2-1 AZARENKA. Error from Azarenka
WILLIAMS 1-1 AZARENKA. Big serve from Serena
WILLIAMS 0-1 AZARENKA. Azarenka takes the first point.
WILLIAMS 7-5 6-6 *AZARENKA (*Denotes upcoming server)
Serena tightens up, double faults to send the second set to a tiebreak.
SECOND SET TIEBREAK
*WILLIAMS 7-5 6-5 AZARENKA (*Denotes upcoming server)
Serena breaks again and will have a second chance to serve for the match.
Williams starts the game with a beautifully angled backhand winner, gets a free point on a double fault, and then cranks out an inside-out backhand winner to earn three break chances. She converts on the third when Vika nets a backhand.
Celebrity watch: "Sex and the City" actress Sarah Jessica Parker in the stands.
WILLIAMS 7-5 5-5 *AZARENKA (*Denotes upcoming server)
It's not over yet! Serena plays a tight game, sending a few strokes flying long, and we're back on serve.
*WILLIAMS 7-5 5-4 AZARENKA (*Denotes upcoming server)
Azarenka holds. Serena will now serve for the match.
WILLIAMS 7-5 5-3 *AZARENKA (*Denotes upcoming server)
Serena holds at love and is one game away from her 5th US Open title. During the game, Williams unleashes a 119-mph ace -- the fastest serve of the match.
On last changeover, "Hail to the Chief" blares through stadium sound system, in Clinton's honor.
*WILLIAMS 7-5 4-3 AZARENKA (*Denotes upcoming server)
Azarenka holds, finishing the marathon last point of the game with a bilstering forehand out of Serena's reach.
Celebrity watching: actor Hugh Jackman, actress Amanda Seyfried and singer Gladys Knight all in the stands for the final. Earlier on a change-over, stadium heard "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Knight and her famous Pips.
WILLIAMS 7-5 4-2 *AZARENKA (*Denotes upcoming server)
Serena plays a rather loose game -- and gets called for another foot fault. Azarenka gets one of the two breaks back.
Former US president Bill Clinton, taking in the action, gets a massive ovation from the crowd.
*WILLIAMS 7-5 4-1 AZARENKA (*Denotes upcoming server)
Serena breaks again, closing in on her 17th Grand Slam title. Three double faults in the game -- her first three of the match -- are extremely costly for Vika.
If Serena wins today, she would become the first woman since Justine Henin in 2007 to win the US and French Opens in the same year.
WILLIAMS 7-5 3-1 *AZARENKA (*Denotes upcoming server)
Serena erases two break points with some ferocious ball-striking. Vika's chance evaporates on another huge serve from Williams to end the game.
*WILLIAMS 7-5 2-1 AZARENKA (*Denotes upcoming server)
If she were to stage the big comeback, Azarenka would become the first woman since Martina Hingis in 1997 to win the US and Australian Opens in the same year.
But look out: Serena is 61-2 this year when winning the first set. At the US Open in her career when winning the first set: 65-1. Thank you, WTA stats team!
WILLIAMS 7-5 2-0 *AZARENKA (*Denotes upcoming server)
Williams holds at love. Two aces in the game: one at 117 mph (188 kph), and another at 114 mph.
John McEnroe calls Serena's serve the greatest in the women's game -- ever.
*WILLIAMS 7-5 1-0 AZARENKA (*Denotes upcoming server)
Serena jumps to an early lead with the break. She looks to have settled down and is now hitting her ground strokes with authority.
In the first set, Williams hit 15 winners to nine for Azarenka. Unforced errors: 15 for Serena, seven for Vika.
Many commenting on Serena's wardrobe problems, as her dress flies up with each wind gust. German player Andrea Petkovic on Twitter: "Note to Serena's dress: Why don't you chill the heck out!"
WILLIAMS 7 *AZARENKA 5 (*Denotes upcoming server)
Serena unleashes some booming serves and a few thunderous ground strokes to win the game at love. The set lasts 58 minutes.
From my colleague Dave James, via the WTA Tour stats team: In her career, Serena Williams is 539-23 when winnning the first set, including 218-5 at Grand Slams.
FIRST SET TO WILLIAMS 7-5
*WILLIAMS 6 AZARENKA 5 (*Denotes upcoming server)
Serena breaks and will serve for the first set.
At deuce, Serena hits a cross-court forehand winner to earn the break point, and then Azarenka dumps a backhand into the net.
Another fun fact from my colleague Dave James: the Empire State Building will be lighted Sunday night in green, blue and yellow to represent a tennis ball on a US Open court, organizers say.
WILLIAMS 5 *AZARENKA 5 (*Denotes upcoming server)
Serena ekes out a hold in the first deuce game of the match, despite a bad mishit, several errant first serves -- and a foot fault call.
A foot fault call in 2011 led to a spectacular profanity-laced meltdown from Serena that ultimately cost her the match and tens of thousands of dollars in fines.
Are we headed for a tiebreaker?
The first set is crucial. The winner of the first set has won the last 18 US Open women's titles.
*WILLIAMS 4 AZARENKA 5 (*Denotes upcoming server)
Azarenka makes some top-notch winners off both her forehand and backhand to hold. Serena now will serve to stay in the set.
A win today for Vika would be her third career Grand Slam title, after two victories at the Australian Open.
WILLIAMS 4 *AZARENKA 4 (*Denotes upcoming server)
A frustrated Williams serves hard and holds easily. Azarenka challenges the final point of the game, but her return of serve indeed sailed long.
If Williams wins today, she will take home a healthy $3.6 million check, including a $1 million bonus for her success in the Open tune-up events.
Want to follow the players on Twitter? Handles are @serenawilliams and @Vika7.
*WILLIAMS 3 AZARENKA 4 (*Denotes upcoming server)
Azarenka wins the game on a stab volley lob kept in by the swirling wind, which continues to frustrate Serena -- she is talking to herself between points.
Azarenka has the best record in women's tennis this season on hard courts: 31-1.
WILLIAMS 3 *AZARENKA 3 (*Denotes upcoming server)
Serena levels the match at 3-all. She seems to be finding the range on her groundstrokes, but is still somewhat hesitant to paint the lines.
Fun fact: Azarenka has only lost one hard court match this year -- to Serena.
*WILLIAMS 2 AZARENKA 3 (*Denotes upcoming server)
The players are still finding their rhythm in the gusty conditions. The game features a few decent backcourt rallies, and Azarenka holds.
Fun fact: the last time the US Open women's final featured the same two players in back-to-back years was in 2001-02. The players: Serena and Venus Williams. Venus won in '01, Serena in '02.
WILLIAMS 2 *AZARENKA 2 (*Denotes upcoming server)
Serena still doesn't look that comfortable on court but grinds out the hold.
*WILLIAMS 1 AZARENKA 2 (*Denotes upcoming server)
On serve in the opening set. Williams, who seems to be a tad nervous, struggles to keep her ground strokes in the court.
Azarenka's signature trilling grunts are in full effect.
WILLIAMS 1 *AZARENKA 1 (*Denotes upcoming server)
Azarenka breaks back quickly as Serena struggles with the wind in her opening service game and sends a backhand long to end the game.
Both players pretty in pink and shades of gray. Serena's older sister Venus, a two-time US Open champ herself, in the stands to show her support.
Shadows covering half of the court now. About 80 degrees Fahrenheit in New York (26 Celsius).
*WILLIAMS 1 AZARENKA 0 (*Denotes upcoming server)
Tight start for Vika. Williams seals the early break of serve with a ferocious cross-court backhand winner.
2049 GMT: Here we go! Azarenka to serve first. Chair umpire is Alison Hughes of Britain.
2046 GMT: Warm-ups are continuing, but the match is just moments away.
Darren Cahill, former coach of Andre Agassi and Lleyton Hewitt, on Twitter: "That the most talkative that I've seen Serena Williams in a pre-match interview...... ever. Looks relaxed and ready."
2045 GMT: After today, Williams and Azarenka will have combined to win six of the last eight Grand Slam titles (dating back to the 2012 Australian Open).
Azarenka is 3-12 lifetime against Serena but has beaten her twice this year -- both times on hard courts.
2041 GMT: Commentator John McEnroe says Serena will be "virtually impossible to beat." Tough words for Azarenka, the reigning Australian Open champion.
Williams won her first Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows at age 17 in 1999.
2039 GMT: And the players are on court! A massive ovation from the capacity crowd of 23,584.
Just before walking out, Azarenka said: "I'm ready to go out there and try to do my best... Serena's a great champion."
Serena said it was "really awesome" to be part of a final between the top two players. She also thanked the rowdy New York fans: "The crowd has been really amazing. Every year it gets better and better."
2035 GMT: Ahead of the women's final, veteran Indian doubles player Leander Paes became the oldest man to win a Grand Slam title at age 40 when he and Radek Stepanek took the US Open doubles. The fourth seeds defeated Alexander Peya of Austria and Brazil's Bruno Soares, the second seeds, 6-1, 6-3.
The win was not without drama: Paes almost suffered a broken nose when a ball hit him in the face during their second round against Daniel Brands and Philipp Oswald.
"I think at the end of the day, life is beautiful.," Paes said after the win.
2033 GMT: From my colleague Dave James: A woman in crowd holds up a banner, reading "Seeing Serena play is on my bucket list."
2030 GMT: R&B singer Ne-Yo, sporting a jaunty blue cap, sings "America the Beautiful" on Ashe. Gorgeous weather in New York. Brilliant sunshine.
2028 GMT: Fun fact from my colleague Dave James -- Serena is going for her fifth US Open title (and 17th Grand Slam title) 56 years to the day that Althea Gibson became the first African-American to win the US Championships when she defeated Louise Borough 6-3, 6-2.
Serena previously won the US Open in 1999, 2002, 2008 and last year against Azarenka.
2021 GMT: Ahead of the final, nine-time Grand Slam winner (and two-time US Open winner) Monica Seles was inducted into the US Open Court of Champions on Ashe. My colleague Jim Slater says a plaque with her name will go up on the wall alongside the other greats alongside the main entrance to the facility.
The 39-year-old Seles, who won back-to-back titles in 1991 and 1992, quipped about her trademark ear-splitting on-court shrieks: "You won't hear me grunt today."
2016 GMT: Azarenka, known as Vika to her fans, has had a tougher time, surviving three-set challenges from France's Alize Cornet and former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic in the early rounds
The 24-year-old from Minsk easily dispatched a resurgent Daniela Hantuchova in the quarters, and then beat Italy’s Flavia Pennetta in the semis, 6-4, 6-2.
2014 GMT: Williams, who will turn 32 later this month, has hardly been challenged in her run to the final. She has yet to drop a set.
The American showed no mercy against Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro in the quarterfinals, winning 6-0, 6-0, and then defeated China's Li Na in the semi-finals, 6-0, 6-3.
2010 GMT: WELCOME TO AFP'S LIVE REPORT on the US Open women's final at Flushing Meadows between world number one and defending champion Serena Williams of the United States, and world number two Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
The match – a rematch of last year's final, won by Williams in three sets -- is due to start at Arthur Ashe Stadium shortly after 4:30 pm EDT (2030 GMT).
The players have met three times already this year, with Azarenka beating Williams twice on hard courts, including in the final at Cincinnati last month.
Williams
has only lost four times this year; she's 66-4. She also fell to Sabine
Lisicki in the round of 16 at Wimbledon, and to France’s Marion Bartoli
(who retired after her Wimbledon victory) in the same round in Dubai.
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