Thrilling final, Serena's return to No. 1 worth the wait

NEW YORK -- She hurled her racquet toward a darkened sky, an unguided missile of joy. Then Serena Williams leaped. And leaped again. And screamed, a shout that let the world know, as if it hadn't learned minutes before, there's no one better in women's tennis.

Six years later, six years that seemed to last 60, Serena is again U.S. Open champion. To her relief. To America's satisfaction.

After beginning 2007 at No. 81 in the rankings, Serena Williams is overjoyed to be back on top of women's tennis. (AP)

Two hours and four minutes is what it took Sunday night, 2:04 of tremendous heart and great hustle, of volleys, forehands and double faults. Of saved games and blown chances.

Two hours and four minutes until Serena Williams beat Jankovic 6-4, 7-5.

And then Serena, not even realizing the victory lifted her to the top of the rankings for the first time in five years, bounced around before dashing to the sideline to hug father Richard Williams, and after, rushing over to the family box to slap hands with mother Oracene and sister Venus.

When Serena beat Venus in the quarterfinals a few evenings ago, she told us nobody would give her a match like that one. Others contended that match, in effect, was the real championship. But Jankovic proved she very much belonged in her first Grand Slam final.

The ladies were supposed to be playing Saturday night. Supposed to have the evening to their own, without pro football, without anything else.

The only competition was supposed to be each other. But Tropical Storm Hanna wouldn't allow that to happen, dumping rain on the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center as well as much of the Northeast.

The 24-hour delay didn't matter. For the fans, who filled Arthur Ashe Stadium, for the finalists, who filled the evening with thrills.

Serena never lost a set in her seven matches. Fourteen sets, 14 wins. Not that it was easy.

Not that Jelena didn't break her twice in the first set. Not that Jelena wasn't serving for the second set, up 5-4.

"I'm proud to be in the final," Jankovic said when interviewed by CBS' Mary Carillo moments after the match. "But I'm disappointed I lost. Serena was the better player tonight. Congratulations. She was just too good."