Serena Williams won her fifth U.S. Open women 's singles title . The world No . 1 beat second seed Victoria Azarenka 7 - 5 6 - 7 6 - 1 in New Haven . The world No . 1 's battle-weary opponents might not be having so much fun after Williams successfully defended the Flushing Meadows title she won in 2012 against the same opponent , beating second seed Victoria Azarenka 7-5 6-7 6-1 to secure her fifth singles championship in New York . Williams had an operation to remove life - threatening blood vessels from her lungs in 2011 . The American has now won 17 grand slam singles titles .
Serena Williams won her fifth U.S. Open women 's singles title . The world No . 1 beat second seed Victoria Azarenka 7 - 5 6 - 7 6 - 1 in New Haven . Williams had an operation to remove life - threatening blood vessels from her lungs in 2011 . The American has now won 17 grand slam singles titles .