Serena Williams Claims 3rd U.S. Open Title

Serena has the talent and tenacity that helped her dominate tennis earlier. And she outlasted Jelena Jankovic 6-4,7-5 Sunday night. It was a thrill a minute match. Her marvelous strokes and momentum swings won her third U.S. Open championship and ninth Grand Slam title. She flung her racket straight up and screamed and skipped as if it was her first grand Slam title. It wasn't, but it had been a while since she had won one. She got an added bonus in that she returned to No. 1 in the rankings. Serena told Jankovic she was sorry she got so excited but no apology was necessary. She took the final four games and took the title without dropping a set. Venus was in the guest box cheering for her kid sister. This guaranteed the American will lead the rankings today for the first time since August 2003.

Henin Tops Williams

Maybe Serena Williams isn't as healthy as she thought. Maybe she wasn't as match-tested as she really needed to be. One thing for sure. When it comes to playing Justine Henin at Grand Slams this year, Williams has been over-matched every time. Finding all the right angles and hanging tough on long rallies, Henin beat Williams 7-6 (3), 6-1 Tuesday night to reach the U.S. Open semifinals. They have met in the quarterfinals at three consecutive majors and Henin is 3-0.