Andreescu denies Williams

NEW YORK — Bianca Andreescu displayed the same brand of big-serving, big-hitting, in-your-face tennis that Serena Williams usually does.

And now the 19-year-old from Canada is a Grand Slam champion, earning her first such title while preventing Williams from collecting a record-tying 24th.

Andreescu took charge early in the U.S. Open final, going up by a set and two breaks, then held off a late charge by Williams to win 6-3, 7-5 for the championship Saturday night.

“Being able to play on this stage against Serena, a true legend in this sport, is amazing,” said Andreescu, who was appearing in her first major final, while Williams was in her 33rd. “Oh, man, it wasn’t easy at all.”

This is the second year in a row that Williams has lost in the final at Flushing Meadows. This one had none of the controversy of 2018, when she got into an extended argument with the chair umpire while being beaten by Naomi Osaka.

Williams has now been the runner-up at four of the seven majors she has entered since returning to the tour after having a baby two years ago. The 37-year-old American remains stuck on 23 Grand Slam singles titles, one shy of Margaret Court’s mark for the most in history.

“I’m just so proud that I’m out here and competing at this level. My team has been so supportive through all the ups and downs and downs and downs and downs,” Williams said. “Hopefully, we’ll have some ups soon.”

Andreescu, the first player from Canada to win a major singles title, went up 5-1 in the second set and served for the victory there, even holding a match point at 40-30. But Williams erased that with a forehand return winner off a 105 mph serve.

That launched a four-game run for Williams, who broke Andreescu again to make it 5-all.

“I was just fighting at that point,” said Williams, a sixtime U.S. Open champion. “Just trying to stay out there a little bit longer.”

The Arthur Ashe

Stadium crowd was overwhelmingly supporting Williams, not surprisingly, and spectators got so loud as she tried to put together a successful comeback that Andreescu covered her ears with her hands after one point.

“I just tried to block everything out,” Andreescu said afterward. “I’m just glad with how I managed, really.”

Suddenly, this was a test.

Or so it seemed.

But as well as Andreescu handled everything — herself, her far-more-experienced and successful opponent, and even the moment — Williams was far from her best, especially while serving. She got broken for the sixth time in the final game.

This was the largest age gap in a Grand Slam final, and it came almost exactly 20 years to the day since Williams won the U.S. Open for her first major title in 1999, a year before Andreescu was born.

Andreescu is the first woman to win the trophy at Flushing Meadows in her main-draw tournament debut in the Open era, which started in 1968 when professionals were allowed into Grand Slam tournaments. She only has participated in four majors in her brief career.

Just think: A year ago, Andreescu was losing in the opening round of qualifying.

On Saturday, there she was, putting her hands on her head, dropping her racket and then pumping her fists when it ended. After a hug from a smiling Williams at the net, Andreescu kissed the blue court and rolled onto her back, soaking in the applause.

About two hours earlier, the 15th-seeded Andreescu was standing in the hallway leading from the locker room to the court, doing a prematch interview in which she sounded like someone whose mind was as confident as her play would soon be, saying, “I’m just going to take it like it’s any other match.”

She began the day with a 33-4 record in 2019, including 7-0 against top-10 opponents, and without a loss in a completed match since March 1. Andreescu missed a chunk of time in that span with a shoulder injury, which clearly is no longer hindering her.

conSaturday’s Sports Transactions By The Associated Press

BASEBALL American League OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BASEBALL — Suspended Minnesota RHP Michael Pineda 60 games after testing positive for Hydrochlorothiazide, a Diuretic, in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

American League BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Recalled OF Austin Hays from Norfolk ( IL). TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Selected the contract of LHP Anthony Kay from Buffalo ( IL). Designated C Beau Taylor for assignment. Announced RHP Zack Godley cleared waivers and was assigned to Buffalo.

National League CHICAGO CUBS — Selected the contract of LHP Danny Hultzen from Iowa ( PCL). Designated C Taylor Davis for assignment.

CINCINNATI REDS — Reinstated C Juan

September 8

1946 — Jack Kramer wins his first U.S. men’s singles titles with a 9-7, 6-3, 6-0 win over Tom Brown.

1957 — Althea Gibson becomes the first black to win the U.S. Open, beating Louise Brough, 6-3, 6-2. Australia’s Malcolm Anderson defeats countryman Ashley Cooper in three sets to become the first unseeded player to win the U.S. Open.

1968 — Virginia Wade wins the first official U.S. Open ( formerly known as U.S National Championships). Wade upsets Billie Jean King, 6-4, 6-2 and Arthur Ashe beats Tom Okker, 14-12, 5-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 for the men’s title.

1969 — Australia Rod Laver wins the U.S. Open and the grand slam of tennis for the second time in his career with a victory over fellow countryman Tony Graterol from the concussion list. MILWAUKEE BREWERS — Recalled OF Tyrone Taylor from San Antonio ( PCL). NEW YORK METS — Activated INF Jed Lowrie from the 60-day IL. Recalled RHP Drew Gagnon from Syracuse ( IL). Transferred INF- OF Dominic Smith to the 60-day IL.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS — Claimed LHP Wandy Peralta off waivers from Cincinnati. Recalled INF Zach Green from Sacramento ( PCL) and placed him on the 60-day IL.

American Association MILWAUKEE MILKMEN — Traded RHP Myles Smith to Long Island (Atlantic) for a player to be named.

Atlantic League

LONG ISLAND DUCKS — Activated INF Steve Lombardozzi. Placed RHP Vin Mazzaro on the inactive list.

FOOTBALL National Football League ATLANTA FALCONS — Signed WR Julio Jones to a three- year contract extension through the 2023 season. Roche. Laver wins 7-9, 6-1, 6-3, 6-2. 1973 — Australia’s Margaret Court Smith wins the U.S. Open for the fifth time with a 7-6, 5-7, 6-2 victory over Evonne Goolagong.

1974 — Billie Jean King wins her fourth U.S. Open with a 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 triumph over Evonne Goolagong.

1996 — Pete Sampras and Steffi Graf win the men’s and women’s singles titles, respectively, in the last U.S. Open championship matches played in Louis Armstrong Stadium. Sampras beats Michael Chang, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6, and Graf defeats Monica Seles, 7-5, 6-4. 1998 — Mark McGwire breaks Roger Maris’ 37- year-old home run record, lining historic No. 62 just over the wall in left field with two outs in the fourth inning. McGwire’s shot off the Chicago Cubs’ Steve Trachsel sets off a wild celebration in Busch Stadium.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

BATTING-Ti.Anderson, Chicago, .333; LeMahieu, New York, .328; Brantley, Houston, .324; Alberto, Baltimore, .321; Devers, Boston, .314; Martinez, Boston, .310; Bogaerts, Boston, .309; Merrifield, Kansas City, .307; Cruz, Minnesota, .305; Gurriel, Houston, .304. RUNS-Betts, Boston, 127; Devers, Boston, 116; Trout, Los Angeles, 110; Bregman, Houston, 108; Semien, Oakland, 103; Bogaerts, Boston, 102; LeMahieu, New York, 98; C.Santana, Cleveland, 97; Kepler, Minnesota, 95; Villar, Baltimore, 94.

RBI- J.Abreu, Chicago, 107; Devers, Boston, 107; Bogaerts, Boston, 105; Trout, Los Angeles, 104; Soler, Kansas City, 101; Bregman, Houston, 99; Gurriel, Houston, 98; Rosario, Minnesota, 94; Martinez, Boston, 94; Cruz, Minnesota, 92. HITS-Merrifield, Kansas City, 183; Devers, Boston, 178; LeMahieu, New York, 173; Polanco, Minnesota, 170; Bogaerts, Boston, 168; Brantley, Houston, 168; Betts, Boston, 161; Martinez, Boston, 160; Semien, Oakland, 158; Gurriel, Houston, 157. DOUBLES-Bogaerts, Boston, 49; Devers, Boston, 49; Betts, Boston, 40; Gurriel, Houston, 40; Benintendi, Boston, 39; Brantley, Houston, 39; Castellanos, Chicago, 37; Semien, Oakland, 36; M.Chapman, Oakland, 35; Lindor, Cleveland, 35; Merrifield, Kansas City, 35. TRIPLES-Dozier, Kansas City, 9; Merrifield, Kansas City, 9; Mondesi, Kansas City, 9; M.Smith, Seattle, 9; Gardner, New York, 7; Kiermaier, Tampa Bay, 7; Meadows, Tampa Bay, 7; Polanco, Minnesota, 6; Da.Santana, Texas, 6; Semien, Oakland, 6. HOME RUNS-Trout, Los Angeles, 45; Soler, Kansas City, 40; Kepler, Minnesota, 36; Cruz, Minnesota, 35; Martinez, Boston, 35; G.Sánchez, New York, 34; G.Torres, New York, 34; Bregman, Houston, 33; Edw.Encarnación, New York, 32; C.Santana, Cleveland, 32.

STOLEN BASES-M.Smith, Seattle, 40; Mondesi, Kansas City, 36; Villar, Baltimore, 33; Andrus, Texas, 27; Jo.Ramírez, Cleveland, 24; D.Gordon, Seattle, 21; DeShields, Texas, 20; Lindor, Cleveland, 20; Pham, Tampa Bay, 20; Kiermaier, Tampa Bay, 19.

PITCHING- Germán, New York, 17-4; Verlander, Houston, 17-5; E.Rodríguez, Boston, 17-5; G.Cole, Houston, 15-5; Fiers, Oakland, 14-3; Morton, Tampa Bay, 14-6; Odorizzi, Minnesota, 14-6; Giolito, Chicago, 14-8; Lynn, Texas, 14-10; Gonzales, Seattle, 14-11. ERA-Verlander, Houston, 2.57; G.Cole, Houston, 2.81; Morton, Tampa Bay, 3.07; Minor, Texas, 3.12; Bieber, Cleveland, 3.24; Giolito, Chicago, 3.27; Miley, Houston, 3.35; Fiers, Oakland, 3.52; Odorizzi, Minnesota, 3.61; Berríos, Minnesota, 3.78.

STRIKEOUTS- G.Cole, Houston, 266; Verlander, Houston, 257; Bieber, Cleveland, 233; Boyd, Detroit, 225; Sale, Boston, 218; Giolito, Chicago, 216; Lynn, Texas, 209; Morton, Tampa Bay, 209; Bauer, Cincinnati, 185; Minor, Texas, 180.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

BATTING-Rendon, Washington, .338; K.Marte, Arizona, .331; B.Reynolds, Pittsburgh, .331; Yelich, Milwaukee, .326; McNeil, New York, .324; Blackmon, Colorado, .319; Newman, Pittsburgh, .314; Arenado, Colorado, .313; Bellinger, Los Angeles, .308; Freeman, Atlanta, .300. RUNS-Acuña Jr., Atlanta, 113; Freeman, Atlanta, 109; Bellinger, Los Angeles, 107; Rendon, Washington, 106; Blackmon, Colorado, 102; Story, Colorado, 101; Bryant, Chicago, 97; Soto, Washington, 97; Yelich, Milwaukee, 97; S.Marte, Pittsburgh, 96. RBI-Freeman, Atlanta, 115; Rendon, Washington, 114; Bell, Pittsburgh, 114; E.Escobar, Arizona, 110; Arenado, Colorado, 108; P.Alonso, New York, 107; Bellinger, Los Angeles, 105; Harper, Philadelphia, 100; Soto, Washington, 98; Yelich, Milwaukee, 96.

HITS-K.Marte, Arizona, 177; Arenado, Colorado, 165; Blackmon, Colorado, 165; Albies, Atlanta, 163; Freeman, Atlanta, 163; Acuña Jr., Atlanta, 162; Rendon, Washington, 162; S.Marte, Pittsburgh, 157; Yelich, Milwaukee, 157; Story, Colorado, 156. DOUBLES-Blackmon, Colorado, 40; Albies, Atlanta, 39; Rendon, Washington, 39; Seager, Los Angeles, 39; J.Báez, Chicago, 38; Bell, Pittsburgh, 37; Bryant, Chicago, 35; Pillar, San Francisco, 35; Segura, Philadelphia, 35; Realmuto, Philadelphia, 34; B.Reynolds, Pittsburgh, 34; Story, Colorado, 34. TRIPLES-E.Escobar, Arizona, 10; K.Marte, Arizona, 9; Albies, Atlanta, 7; Blackmon, Colorado, 7; Eaton, Washington, 7; A.Frazier, Pittsburgh, 7; A.Rosario, New York, 7; Ervin, Cincinnati, 6; Tatis Jr., San Diego, 6; 7 tied at 5.

HOME RUNS-P.Alonso, New York, 45; Yelich, Milwaukee, 44; Bellinger, Los Angeles, 44; E.Suárez, Cincinnati, 42; Freeman, Atlanta, 38; Arenado, Colorado, 37; Acuña Jr., Atlanta, 37; Bell, Pittsburgh, 36; Donaldson, Atlanta, 35; Schwarber, Chicago, 34. STOLEN BASES-Acuña Jr., Atlanta, 34; T.Turner, Washington, 31; J.Dyson, Arizona, 29; Yelich, Milwaukee, 27; S.Marte, Pittsburgh, 25; Robles, Washington, 24; Story, Colorado, 20; Wong, St. Louis, 20; Margot, San Diego, 19; Cain, Milwaukee, 16; A.Rosario, New York, 16; Tatis Jr., San Diego, 16. PITCHING-Fried, Atlanta, 16-4; Strasburg, Washington, 16-6; Dak.Hudson, St. Louis, 15-6; L.Castillo, Cincinnati, 14-6; Kershaw, Los Angeles, 13-5; Quintana, Chicago, 138; Buehler, Los Angeles, 12-3; Nola, Philadelphia, 12-4; Márquez, Colorado, 12-5; Ryu, Los Angeles, 12-5. ERA-Ryu, Los Angeles, 2.45; Soroka, Atlanta, 2.54; Scherzer, Washington, 2.60; S.Gray, Cincinnati, 2.75; deGrom, New York, 2.76; Greinke, Houston, 2.90; Kershaw, Los Angeles, 3.06; Flaherty, St. Louis, 3.14; Corbin, Washington, 3.16; L.Castillo, Cincinnati, 3.21. STRIKEOUTS- Strasburg, Washington, 222; deGrom, New York, 220; Corbin, Washington, 210; L.Castillo, Cincinnati, 208; Ray, Arizona, 207; Scherzer, Washington, 207; Nola, Philadelphia, 200 Buehler.