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Williams returns to No 1 with US Open triumph

08/09/2008

Serena Williams has won the US Open title, and with it regained the world number one ranking, after a straight-sets victory over Jelena Jankovic.

The American capped a superb run of form in New York with a hard-fought 6-4 7-5 win over the Serbian, who played her part in an entertaining match.

In her first ever grand slam final, Jankovic - who would have taken the top ranking spot with victory - got a blistering start to take an early two-break lead.

But Williams battled back in typical style - bullying her opponent from the back of the court with her trademark booming groundstrokes as she overturned Jankovic's advantage to take the first set.

The second set was equally topsy-turvy as Jankovic failed to take advantage of four set points when 5-4 up on Williams' serve.

And the missed opportunity seemed to play on her mind as Williams rattled off three straight games to seal the match, her third Flushing Meadows title and the top ranking in women's tennis.

Jankovic remains second, while Ana Ivanovic - who tumbled out of the tournament in the first week – drops to third.