Top 5 Women’s US Open Finals of the 21st Century

It promises to make the upcoming US Open one of the most unpredictable slams in recent memory.  And that’s saying something when the last seven slams have produced seven different champions.  With the US Open looming, I wanted to look back at some of the defining New York finals in recent memory.  So here are my picks for the five best women’s US Open finals of the 21^st century. 

5. 2023: Coco Gauff bt Aryna Sabalenka (2-6, 6-3, 6-2)

This selection is based more on dramatic momentum swings than the tennis itself.  Both Gauff and Sabalenka struggled with errors in the early stages, battling on serve while going for too much on their respective forehands.  Sabalenka’s pure power helped her bulldoze her way to a 6-2 first-set win.  Gauff shifted gears from that point on, playing within herself while relying on that supreme athleticism to give her the edge.  Sabalenka struggled to live with Gauff’s Energizer Bunny tactics, committing an incredible 46 unforced errors in front of an increasingly fervent American crowd.  Gauff sealed the deal in a little over two hours, capturing a maiden Grand Slam in front of her adoring fans.  

4. 2018: Naomi Osaka bt Serena Williams (6-2, 6-4)

I had to include this piece of high melodrama (some will argue that this should be a dishonourable mention).  Japanese ingenue Naomi Osaka played with remarkable poise when she came up against childhood idol Serena Williams, using her power and laser-eyed focus to take the first set 6-2.  Osaka built a sturdy 2^nd set lead before being rendered a bit-part player by one of the defining controversies in recent Grand Slam history.  Chair umpire Carlos Ramos issued a warning to Williams for illegal coaching (Patrick Mouratoglou was supposedly signalling her).  This evolved into a point penalty for a smashed racquet and a full game penalty after Williams verbally confronted Ramos and called him a ‘liar’ and a ‘thief’.  Some Serena defenders have called the entire fiasco an example of blatant misogyny.  But lest we forget, this is the same woman who was disqualified for threatening a lineswoman at the 2009 US Open.  I personally think that Serena was overwhelmed by Osaka’s brilliance, driven delirious by the changing of the guard. 

3.2020: Naomi Osaka bt Victoria Azarenka (1-6, 6-3, 6-3)

Covid protocols ensured that no fans would be present at the 2020 US Open.  I know, the idea of Flushing Meadows sans fans is borderline sacrilegious.  Yet despite that, both the men’s and women’s finals turned out to be absolute classics.  It always pleased me that Osaka was finally able to enjoy her New York triumph after Williams had selfishly turned her 2018 triumph into a circus.  Azarenka played near-flawless tennis in the first set, committing just three unforced errors in a 6-1 rout.  But the Japanese megastar went on to underline her hardcourt pre-eminence in the final two sets, reducing her errors to wrestle back the momentum.  Osaka bucked a massive trend with this comeback victory, becoming the first woman since 1994 to win a US Open final after dropping the first set. 

2. 2016: Angelique Kerber bt Karolina Pliskova (6-3, 4-6, 6-4)

This was the ultimate clash of styles, with nuggety counterpuncher Angelique Kerber prevailing over the more bodacious power-hitting of Karolina Pliskova.  It was an extremely high-quality encounter, with Pliskova going down despite hitting an astonishing 40 clean winners!  Kerber was at her hustling best in the first set, winning 6-3 after forcing the Czech into numerous errors.  Pliskova found greater depth in the 2^nd and managed to level matters.  The deciding set was an absolute war of attrition, and the Czech had her chances to pull away from the dogged German.  But Kerber hung tough, breaking Pliskova at 4-4.  Kerber held her nerve to serve out the championship, winning her 2^nd slam of the season while firmly establishing herself as the world No.1. 

1.2012: Serena Williams bt Victoria Azarenka (6-2, 2-6, 7-5)

This was one of Serena Williams’ most iconic Grand Slam moments (and that’s saying something).  It was also the first of three runner-up finishes for Azarenka, a harbinger of the bittersweet relationship she was to have with the event.  Williams seemed to be in cruise control in the early stages, overwhelming the world No.1 with breathtaking power to win the first set 6-2.  Azarenka found firm footing in the 2^nd set, outmanoeuvring Williams with incredible court coverage to take the match to a decider (the first time that had happened since 1995).  The Belarusian then appeared to have Williams on the ropes when serving at 5-3.  But the tennis icon entered her flow state from that point on, winning 10 of the next 12 points to level at 5-5.  She then broke Azarenka again before closing out the match.  Queen Serena, take a bow.