Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka needed all three sets to determine a champion at the 2012 U.S. Open. After splitting the first two sets (6-2, 2-6), Williams fell behind early in the third set, 5-3. With her back against the wall, she rallied back to win the next four games and claim a 7-5 victory.
Williams won the match with a strong serve and forehand, forcing Azarenka to play the entire court throughout the three-hour match. She appeared to fatigue a bit early in the third set, but the capacity crowd at Billie Jean King Tennis Arena willed her to win late.
The win marks the fourth U.S. Open win of Williams' incredible career. Her play is simply at a different level right now; in the last three months, Serena has won Wimbledon, a gold medal in the Olympics and now the championship at Flushing Meadows.
The men's final between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET on Monday.
For more updates on the 2012 U.S. Open, check out SB Nation's tennis hub. Live scores can be viewed at the event's website.