Simply no stopping Serena after grand slam No 17

It has been 14 years since Serena Williams won her first US Open, but there was no hint of decline as the 31-year-old American outlasted Victoria Azarenka for her fifth title at Flushing Meadows.

Initially frustrated by a swirling wind at Arthur Ashe Stadium and shaken by Azarenka's second-set comeback from 4-1 down, Williams regained the momentum in the third set with her power and range of strokes propelling her to a 17th grand slam title.

Williams will be 32 later this month but she seems far from even contemplating life after tennis. "I feel great. I have never felt better. I feel really fit," she said. "I can play a tournament like this, singles, doubles, with tough, tough schedules.

"For the most part, I felt really good. I haven't felt like this in a number of years. I'm excited about the possibilities. I don't know what can happen. I just keep playing and do the best that I can."

Certainly Azarenka, who put up a brave fight throughout and looks easily the most likely to take over Williams' mantle whenever she does retire, had no doubts about the qualities of her opponent.

"She's a champion, and she knows how to repeat that. She knows what it takes to get there," said the Belarussian.