Teenage ace Bianca the final hurdle for Serena

Twelve months ago, a fast-rising young opponent — not to mention a vigilant umpire — turned the US Open final into a bit of a nightmare for Serena williams.

A year on, it is not Naomi Osaka who stands between the American and a historic 24th Grand Slam, but a Canadian teenager who was not even born when williams won her first Slam in 1999, and whose own meteoric rise makes Japan’s Osaka look almost a slouch.

By the time williams suffered her meltdown in the Arthur Ashe Stadium last year, Bianca Andreescu was long gone from the US Open, losing in the qualifying tournament.

Now she will face the legendary American on the biggest stage of all, having defeated Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic 7-6, 7-5 to secure her place in the final.

A year ago, the 19-year-old from Toronto was ranked 208th in the world and struggling to fulfil the expectations associated with a promising junior career.

She said: ‘I was having problems with some relationships in my life, with my body and even my mind.

‘I was playing 25ks (small $25,000 tournaments) before the qualifiers of the US Open.’

She arrives tonight with a 44-4 match record on the main tour and an unusually versatile game style that can see her soak up pressure at the back of the court and volley with aplomb at the net.

She has not lost a completed match since early March, although her participation has been restricted by shoulder injuries, which is why she missed the grass-court season.

For a young tennis star, Andreescu comes straight out of central casting, the child of immigrants from Romania.

Born in Canada, she spent four years in Romania before they settled in Toronto. She credits the all-round nature of her game on the fact that she did a lot of gymnastics and ice skating when younger.

Andreescu also has an interesting history with williams. The two met in the Canadian Open final, only for the American to retire in the first set with back spasms.

williams — desperate to equal Australian Margaret Court’s 24 Grand Slams — had the perfect start at this event, beating Maria Sharapova in the first round.

Since then, it has been her most convincing campaign at a Slam since she became a mother two years ago.

‘I think it’s cool that I’ve been in more finals than I think anyone currently on tour after being pregnant,’ she said.

BARCelONA footballer Gerard Pique is in New York promoting his business venture — the new Davis Cup finals week in November.

And the controversial new format could see the Murray brothers playing doubles together for Britain.

Jamie Murray said: ‘If Andy wants to play, then it’s difficult to say no. He has played so many important matches for GB.’