Video: Williams hails 'awesome' victory

US Open 2013 winner Serena Williams and runner-up Victoria Azarenka react to their 2013 championship match which took place on Sunday evening, 8th September.

With her 7-5, 6-7, 6-1 victory, Williams picked up her fifth US Open crown (1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013), and 17th Grand Slam title.

The final was a rematch of the title match in 2012, when Williams defeated Azarenka 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.

Serena Williams on defeating Victoria Azarenka: “Yeah, I think at that point just getting the win under your belt is awesome. I obviously would have preferred to close it out in straight sets. But going against a great opponent like Victoria, you have to be able to realize that that can happen, and, you know, you have to keep fighting for everything.”

When asked if she underperformed this year, Serena Williams said: “Absolutely. Absolutely. I felt almost disappointed with my year, to be honest. I felt like, yeah, I won the French Open, but I wasn’t happy with my performances in the other two slams, and, you know, not even making it to the quarterfinals of one. So I definitely feel a lot better with at least a second Grand Slam under my belt this year.”

Victoria Azarenka, on her loss to Serena Williams, said: “I wish I could do something better today. You know, I felt like I had opportunities in the first set, as well. But, I mean, it’s okay. It goes that way. I did everything I could. The game overall, there are things could have been better. But, you know, I gave my heart. I fought as hard as I could. So that’s what, you know, is important for me, that, you know, I lost to a great champion, but I’m still going to have my head up.”