US Open Finals

Federer beats Murray for 5th US Open. He easily beats Andy Murray 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 to win a fifth consecutive U.S. Open championship and 13th Grand Slam title overall. Nothing like the bitter taste left by his lopsided loss to nemesis Rafael Nadal in the French Open final. Or by his heartbreakingly narrow loss to Nadal— 9-7 in the fifth set in fading light—in the Wimbledon final, denying Federer a sixth straight title there. Those, plus a semifinal loss at the Australian Open, were among Federer’s 12 defeats by August in 2008, more than he had in any entire season from 2004-07. He also arrived in New York with only two titles from minor events, and allowed Nadal to end Federer’s record 4 1/2 -year reign at No. 1 last month.

On the other hand Serena Williams defeats Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 7-5 in the final and didn’t drop a set the entire tournament. More than five years after she last held the top ranking, Serena Williams officially regained the distinction Monday hours after winning the U.S. Open for the third time. It had been even longer since her last Open championship—six years. And though it was her ninth Grand Slam title, it was just her second since capturing the Australian Open in early 2005.

Congratulations Roger Federer and Serena Williams...