Diede de Goot and Yui Kamiji added another installment to their #Kamoot rivalry on Sunday, with the Dutch player defeating Kamiji in the women’s wheelchair singles final for her third major of the year. She also turned the tables on the Japanese player after losing to her in last year’s US Open final.
This isn’t the first we’ve had two players face off in consecutive finals in New York, though. USOpen.org takes a look at the 10 other occasions it’s happened in the Open Era.
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John McEnroe vs. Bjorn Borg (1980-1981)
The US Open remains the biggest blip on Borg’s Hall of Fame career, having finished runner-up here four times without making it over the final hurdle. New York native McEnroe stopped him in his last two runner-up appearances, with the American first prevailing in an epic five-set battle in 1980.
It was McEnroe’s four-set win in the 1981 final that proved to be a fatal blow for Borg. He competed in just four more tournaments before announcing his retirement in 1983, at the age of 26.
Jimmy Connors vs. Ivan Lendl (1982-1983)
The Connors-Lendl matches were always a joy to watch for the contrast in playing styles and personalities, but it was Connors who initially had the upper hand in their rivalry. Lendl won matches over Connors during summer tune-up events in 1982 and 1983, but it was the American who would turn the tables in both years by scoring four-set victories in their US Open finals.
Lendl would go to become one of the greatest competitors in New York in the Open Era, taking the title from 1985-1987. He also dominated Connors for the rest of their rivalry, winning their last 17 matches.
John McEnroe vs. Ivan Lendl (1984-1985)
Fittingly, the next great US Open rivalry saw the steely Czech take on another brash American with a vastly different playing style. Still stewing over his memorable loss to Lendl in the 1984 Roland Garros final, McEnroe put in a perfect performance that year to sweep Lendl in the championship match.
But after losing three US Open finals in a row, Lendl was not to be denied. He returned the following year and beat McEnroe in straight sets for his first of three US Open finals. The match also proved to be a turning point in their rivalry, with Lendl winning nine of their last 11 battles.
Ivan Lendl vs. Mats Wilander (1987-1988)
Lendl and Wilander always had a healthy respect for each other, resulting in great battles every time they played. The Czech player rallied from a set down to defeat Wilander in 1987 for his third and final US Open title. But Wilander proved unrattled, returning the following year to defeat Lendl in a five-set classic for his only crown in New York. It also marked the first time he beat Lendl in more than three years.
Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic (2010-2011)
Known as the most prolific men’s rivalry in the Open Era, Nadal and Djokovic have played each other 52 times. Unsurprisingly, their history also includes three US Open finals.
Nadal completed the career Grand Slam with a four-set victory in 2010, but Djokovic got revenge the following year by coming out on top in an outrageously physical final. Their last New York battle came in 2013, with the Spaniard prevailing in another classic match for his second of three US Open titles.
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Chris Evert vs. Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1975-1976)
Evert and Goolagong were always two of the most popular players on tour amongst fans, making their matches compelling viewing for anyone who loved tennis. Goolagong won their first three meetings, including the 1974 US Open semifinals, but Evert broke the streak the following year with a three-set win in the 1975 final.
That match turned the ship in their rivalry as well: Evert dropped just three games in defeating Goolagong in the 1976 final and won nine of their last 11 matches.
Martina Navratilova vs. Chris Evert (1983-1984)
Considering they faced off 80 times in what is still the most epic rivalry in tennis history, Navratilova and Evert were bound to have a few US Open battles. After splitting their first two matches in New York, Navratilova dropped just four games in the 1983 final for one of her most dominant victories over Evert.
The 1984 final is widely considered by many to be the best match they had against each other, with Navratilova rallying from a set down to win her second of four US Open crowns.
Steffi Graf vs. Monica Seles (1995-1996)
The world was glued to their televisions for the 1995 final, which marked Seles’s first Grand Slam back after a 28-month absence due to her tragic stabbing in 1983. Seles held set point in the first-set tiebreak and initially thought she won it with an ace, but the shot was called wide and Graf went on to win the set. The match ultimately came down to fitness, with a match-rusty Seles becoming fatigued and allowing Graf to prevail. Both players, once considered the fiercest of rivals, warmly embraced at the net afterwards.
The 1996 final was far less dramatic and saw Graf prevail in straight sets. Tragically, Seles’ stabbing altered the course of their rivalry. The German won four of their five meetings after Seles’ return to tennis.
Venus Williams vs. Serena Williams (2001-2002)
The first of nine all-Williams Grand Slam finals took place at the 2001 US Open and was fittingly the first prime-time women’s singles final in tournament history. Both women were far from their best, but it was Venus who successfully defended her title with a convincing win. Serena returned the following year to defeat Venus in straight sets, marking her third consecutive major and allowing her to eventually clinch her first “Serena Slam” in 2003.
Venus and Serena have gone on to play four more times at the US Open, with Serena’s third-round win this year marking the 30th match of their historic rivalry.
Serena Williams vs. Victoria Azarenka (2012-2013)
Azarenka is one of the few players in tennis history who could match Serena from the baseline on hard courts - and wasn’t afraid to do it - resulting in two classic US Open finals. Azarenka rallied to take the second set on both occasions, but Serena found another gear in each championship match to take the title.
Tennis critics expected them to be battling for major titles for years to come, but injuries and motherhood have limited them to five matches against each other since their last meeting in New York.
