This year’s US Open has been an absolute treat for tennis fans. First, India’s Sumit Nagal made us proud by taking the first set off Roger Federer. Then, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams played some brilliant matches to advance to the finals. And now, 19-year-old Canadian Bianca Andreescu has reached her first-ever major final. Ahead of the women’s singles decider match, here’s looking at both the finalists.
37-year-old ace Serena Williams already has 23 Grand Slam titles to her name, just one short of Margaret Court’s all-time record. She is unarguably a GOAT and truly formidable opponent.
Bianca Andreescu has played tremendously well in the tournament and Serena’s coach Patrick Mouratoglou thinks she has all it takes to become World No.1 in the future. She has defeated opponents older than her before but this time there is an age gap of 18 years between her and Serena.
To put things in context, Serena won her first Grand Slam in 1999 and Bianca was born a year later in 2000! According to Forbes, Serena’s contemporaries from 20 years ago such as Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis are both long retired.
Tennis fans are both surprised and excited by this little bit of information and can’t wait to see how the match ends.
In 1999, Serena Williams won her first Grand Slam title.
Today, 20 years later, she's going for her 24th.
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In 1999, Bianca Andreescu wasn’t even born.Today she’s aiming to win her first Grand Slam in just her 4th slam appearance. pic.twitter.com/UWPqnbBuLv
— Talking Tennis (@TalkingTennis_) September 7, 2019
11 Sept 1999: Serena Williams won #USOpen title, her first Grand Slam title and her fifth title at that juncture.
16 June 2000: Bianca Andreescu, the #USOpen2019 finalist, was born.— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 7, 2019
19-year-old Canadian Bianca Andreescu advances to meet Serena Williams in the Women's Singles Final at the US Open.
The 18-year age gap between the players will be the largest between the women's finalists at any major in the Open Era (since 1968).
Who’s winning on Saturday?? pic.twitter.com/NyUVZ52n52
— Sports Radio 88.9 Brila FM (@Brilafm889) September 6, 2019
Serena Williams Vs Bianca Andreescu
By the time Andreescu was born, in 2000, Serena had already won her first US Open. She has won 22 more majors since, while Andreescu will be playing her first Slam final.
Who do you think will take away the title?#USOpen LIVE on DD Sports
— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) September 7, 2019
Serena Williams won her first U.S. Open (and Grand Slam title) in 1999. Bianca Andreescu was born in June of 2000.
— Helene Elliott (@helenenothelen) September 6, 2019
20 years after she wins the #usopen at 17, a 37-year-old Serena Williams is back into the final for a 10th time.
Name me a better story in sports. We’re all witnessing it right now.
— Nick McCarvel (@NickMcCarvel) September 6, 2019
19-year-old Canadian Bianca Andreescu advances to meet Serena Williams in the Women's Singles Final at the US Open.
The 18-year age gap between the players will be the largest between the women's finalists at any major in the Open Era (since 1968). pic.twitter.com/qIo3AwIf0z
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 6, 2019
#USOpen Women's Singles final
Serena Williams vs. Bianca Andreescu
When Serena won her first title here in 1999, Bianca wasn't even born. Unreal.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 6, 2019
We wish both players all the very best for their match at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows today. Looking forward to a great game.