Williams bidding for 18th grand slam with US Open

Carolina Wozniacki will hope to be able to do what ex-boyfriend Rory McIlroy has done and win a major, as she takes on Serena Williams in the US Open ladies’ singles final.

It could, however, be an uphill task with the American odds-on at 2/9 to accomplish victory over the Dane, who is 10/3 to win what would the first Grand Slam title of her career. Williams, however, is bidding to win her sixth US Open and 18th major slam.

Speaking ahead of the final, Williams was upbeat regarding her chances: “It would be hard for me to imagine that I would be happy losing. I won’t be.

“But at the end of the day I think in 10 years from now it won’t be, ‘Man, I’m still sad about it.

“I have accomplished a lot, done a lot, not only for the sport but just a lot of things in general. I think I should be happy about that.”

It will be an interesting encounter for Williams, who spends time with Wozniacki in her personal life with the pair holidaying in Miami together after the French Open in June. However, Williams insists she is more than able to separate personal and professional interests.

“We never talk tennis so much since we spend so much of our life on the court,” she added.

“Same with me and Venus. The last thing on our minds is tennis. If anything, it’s to not think about a forehand or a backhand. If I can play Venus, I can play anybody.”

Wozniacki, who is 11/8 to win a set, has rediscovered the kind of form this summer that saw her finish 2011 as the world number one. The Dane, though, realises the size of the task in front of her, and understands she is playing someone that has dominated female tennis for a decade.

“She’s [Williams] obviously a great player, she’s won so many Grand Slams,” Wozniacki said. “She’s a good friend of mine. We were saying when the tournament started.

“Yes, we’re in separate sides of the draw, so hopefully we can meet in the final. When she’s on fire, she’s hard to beat, but I have had two tough matches against her the last few weeks. I was really close. Hopefully for me that would be third time’s the charm.”