Serena Williams wins third U.S. Open title

By Simon Cambers

NEW YORK (Reuters) - American Serena Williams won her ninth grand slam title by beating tenacious Serbian Jelena Jankovic 6-4 7-5 in a high-quality U.S. Open women's final on Sunday.

The 26-year-old broke Jankovic three times to take the opening set before saving four set points in the second to seal victory in two hours four minutes and regain the world number one ranking.

Williams, who swept away Russian Dinara Safina 6-3 6-2 in the semi-finals, fended off spectacular retrieving by Jankovic with her power game to clinch a third U.S. Open crown but her first here since 2002.

"I'm so excited," a beaming Williams said in a courtside interview. "It is that special because I've been working so hard.

"And I wasn't even going for number one and it's just like an added bonus."

On a warm night at Flushing Meadows, the fourth seed won a long opening service game but Jankovic, in her first grand slam final, held serve and broke to lead 2-1 when Williams netted a backhand.

The American then stepped up a gear, using her greater power to win four straight games to lead 5-2.

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