Serena shrugs off record chase in summit clash - Hindustan Times
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Serena shrugs off record chase in summit clash

AFP | By, New York
Sep 09, 2013 01:21 AM IST

World No 1 Serena Williams insists she is not thinking about Steffi Graf's all-time Open Era record of 22 majors ahead of her US Open final showdown against Victoria Azarenka on Sunday.

World No 1 Serena Williams insists she is not thinking about Steffi Graf's all-time Open Era record of 22 majors ahead of her US Open final showdown against Victoria Azarenka on Sunday.

The 31-year-old American will try to capture her 17th Grand Slam title and become the oldest women's champion in US Open history in a repeat of last year's final, which she won in three sets.

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Williams seeks her fifth US Open crown in her seventh final, her 21st career Grand Slam final, and would be the first top-seeded champion since Justine Henin in 2007.

And she would move her career Slam total just one shy of Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert for second on the Open Era list behind the 22 of retired German star Graf.

"I can't think about it," Williams said. "It's so close but still so far. I have to play a great player and play great tennis."

Australia's Margaret Court owns the all-time career record of 24.

Williams, who has lost only 16 games over six matches, could win the title 18 days before her 32nd birthday, making her 293 days older than Australian Margaret Court was when she won the 1973 title to set the current age mark.

And after titles in 1999, 2002, 2008 and last year, Williams could finally claim back-to-back crowns.

"To be able to defend a title for once would be really awesome," she said.

Not since Williams in 2008 has a US Open champion lifted the trophy without losing a set, but Williams could make it happen Sunday by winning her ninth crown of the year, what would be her career-record title haul for one season.

"I have been really focused," Williams said. "My practices have been much better than my matches. I set some goals for myself in my matches and I've met those goals every time."

But world number two Azarenka, a 24-year-old from Belarus, sees herself as a more versatile and dangerous player than when she lost to Williams 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 in the final a year ago.

"There are aspects that got better physically," Azarenka said. "Mentally I felt like this year was a great turning point for me on some level for my career. I feel like I'm a better player. I'm a more complete player."

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