When Roger Federer won last year’s US Open in expectedly dominant fashion, the tennis world was on the cusp of unanimously declaring him the greatest of all time. Pete Sampras’ Grand Slam record would be smashed, perhaps, by May. Fast forward not quite a year, and Federer’s stock had crashed with a resounding thud. Really?
Roger Federer has made history. By taking the US Open men's title after his 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 win over No. 6 Andy Murray, Federer became the first man to win five successive titles at two different Grand Slam events (the Open and Wimbledon).
It was high drama under the lights as Serena Williams defeated Jelena Jankovic in the US Open women's final, 6-4, 7-5. Rallies bordered on eternity and both players were fit but, ultimately, audacity prevailed over tenacity.
The Bryan twins went from Olympic bronze to U.S. Open silver, hoisting the winner’s trophy Friday after a 7-6 (5), 7-6 (10) doubles final victory over Leander Paes and Lukas Dlouhy for their sixth career Grand Slam. With the win, Mike and Bob regain the world No. 1 ranking and continue their streak of winning at least one Grand Slam a year since winning their first and only other US Open in 2005.
Cara Black and Liezel Huber teamed up for their fourth Grand Slam title and their first at the US Open, with a 6-3, 7-6 (6) win over Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur in Sunday's women's doubles final.
In their first major together, Cara Black and Leander Paes won the mixed doubles title over Liezel Huber and Jamie Murray, 7-6 (6), 6-4. It was a close match with several subplots.
Playing smoothly off the ground and relying on her big serve to get her out of some tight spots, CoCo Vandeweghe became the first American girl to win the US Open junior title since 1995, with a 7-6 (3), 6-1 win over Venezuela’s Gabriela Paz on Sunday.
For many reasons, 2008 was a season that went against convention. Would you have guessed that, heading into the US Open, Roger Federer and Justine Henin would have no Grand Slam titles between them? It’s been a very interesting year, no matter which player you support.
