US Open 2014: Serena Williams vs Caroline Wozniacki match preview
A look ahead to the women's singles final
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Your support makes all the difference.When two friends want the same thing, but only one can have it, it normally means problems. How will Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki handle the 'friendly encounter' with so much at stake?
Probably fine. They’ve been together through thick and thin and rivalry is part of their friendship. Regardless of the final’s result, the clash will probably finish with a genuine, long hug.
This doesn’t change the fact they both want to win, badly. For Wozniacki a win would mean a maiden Grand Slam title, for Williams - the first Grand Slam trophy of the year and a third straight title at Flushing Meadows. A win would also tie her with Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert at 18 majors.
Wozniacki had a bumpy start to the tournament as her first-round encounter went to three sets. Unsurprisingly her toughest match so far was in the fourth round against Maria Sharapova. Williams has breezed through the draw not losing a set and dropping only 25 games in the six matches.
Wozniacki is a former world no. 1, but she has never won a Grand Slam. She's only reached one final before, at the US Open in 2009. The Dane is coming off a bittersweet victory in this year’s semi-finals, as she had to watch Shuai Peng leave the court in the wheelchair, unable to finish their match.
The two friends have played each other nine times, with only one victory for Wozniacki in Miami in 2012. Wozniacki has lost two out of the only three matches she has lost since her break up with Rory McIlroy to Serena, although she has pushed Williams to three sets on both occasions.
If Wozniacki wins she will leave the Arthur Ashe stadium with a $3 million check. If Williams comes out victorious the prize money will be boosted to $4 million as she won the US Open Series in the build-up to the tournament.
START: Sunday, Arthur Ashe Stadium, not before 9.30pm
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
2014 Cincinnati (Hard) Williams won 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
2014 Montreal (Hard) Williams won 4-6, 7-5, 7-5
2013 Beijing (Hard) Williams won 6-2, 6-4
STATS:
Williams is the only player, male or female to win a Golden Slam in both singles and doubles.
Williams has the most aces in the tournament with 28, to Wozniacki’s sixth most (21). In addition William’s also has the second fastest serve (122mph).
Wozniacki was ranked world number one for 67 weeks. On the other hand, Williams has been ranked number one on six separate occasions for a total of 204 weeks.
This is Williams’ seventh US Open final; she has only lost twice in the finals. Wozniacki is in her second ever US Open final.
Serena turned pro when Wozniacki turned five (1995), but has only lost 114 matches in her career compared to Wozniacki who turned pro in (2005) and has subsequently lost 155 matches.
Serena has the women’s highest and forth highest overall career prize money earnings (male and female) with $56, 897,689 in total; five times higher than Wozniacki’s impressive $16,839,842.
Williams has the same amount of Career doubles titles as Wozniacki does singles titles, 22. Serena also has around three times as many singles titles as Wozniacki with 62.
ODDS:
Williams to win 1.25
Wozniacki to win 4.9
TV: Sky Sports 3 / Eurosport
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