Serena Williams returned to the US Open final for the second straight year, only she was looking to enjoy a much different fate from last year.
Williams had a high-profile, controversial meltdown at the US Open after being penalized for a coach violation. Her poor behavior in response, including berating the umpire and accusing him of gender bias, caused the issue to make national headlines.
Entering the finals this year against Bianca Andreescu, Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou said the 23-time major champion is “in a much better place.”
“I feel she’s in a much better place than a year ago. She’s fitter, she moves better, so the consequence is she feels much better on the tennis court and she feels much more confident on the tennis court.”
The results have reflected Mouratoglou’s belief. Williams had only dropped one set entering the final and dominated her previous two opponents.
