Takeaways From The US Open

Here’s a list of the trends and human interest stories at the year’s last major and what they portend.

A confident teen upset a nervous queen, and an ageless legend stopped a relent-less insurgent to win US Open titles. As a result, the bid to equal a hallowed women’s record was thwarted, and the race for the men’s GOAT heated up.

Let’s review these and other memorable matches, trends, and human interest stories at the year’s last major and consider what they portend.

Andreescu gets top grades: The most impressive first-time Grand Slam queen, other than Naomi Osaka, in the past three unpredictable years of women’s tennis was crowned at the US Open. Going into the tournament, the vastly improved Bianca Andreescu hadn’t lost a completed match since March 2 and boasted a perfect 7-0 record against top 10 foes. Although a shoulder injury forced her to withdraw from the French Open and Wimbledon, the fast-rising Canadian won prestigious events at Indian Wells, beating five seeds, and Toronto.

Even so, many experts doubted a callow teenager could ever win another major title because elite players increasingly competed into their 30s and the women’s tour boasted unprecedented depth. Andreescu, just 19, emphatically disproved that during the fortnight at FlushingMeadows. Though her steely mental strength evoked memories of past teen queens Chris Evert, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles, make no mistake: this girl’s got the game. Losing just two sets, Andreescu showcased a wicked topspin forehand, strong first and second serves, beautiful angles and drop shots, skillful defence, and clever shot selection. As all-time great Martina Navratilova said, “Andreescu has everything. There’s really no weakness.”

After supremely confident Andreescu outplayed Serena Williams 6-3, 7-5 in the rivetingUSOpenfinal, she said of Williams, “I’ve really strived to be like her. And who knows, maybe even better.”