Serena Williams waited six year to return to the U.S. Open final. What's another day?
The title match between two-time champion Williams and first-time Grand Slam finalist Jelena Jankovic was postponed from Saturday to Sunday because of heavy rain brought by Tropical Storm Hanna.
Williams vs. Jankovic originally was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Saturday local time, but about 3 hours before that, organizers announced they were shifting it. Eventually, the tournament announced play will start at 9 p.m. Sunday.
The men's final was rescheduled from Sunday afternoon to Monday evening. It's the first Monday final for the men at Flushing Meadows since 1987, when Ivan Lendl defeated Mats Wilander.
It will be Williams' first U.S. Open final since 2002, when she beat older sister Venus.
After beating Dinara Safina in straight sets on Friday in the semifinals, Williams was asked if she was concerned that forecasts wee calling for rain on Saturday.
"I don't know if we'll play tomorrow, but I'm ready to play tomorrow," Williams said. "Hopefully we can. If not, I'll be ready for Sunday, Monday, Tuesday - doesn't matter."
She is seeded fourth, Jankovic second, and the winner is assured of moving up to No. 1 in the rankings.
Saturday's rain also forced play to be called off in the men's semifinal between No. 1 Rafael Nadal and No. 6 Andy Murray. That was slated to resume on Sunday, with Murray ahead 6-2, 7-6 (5), 2-3.
Four-time defending champion Roger Federer did manage to finish his semifinal, which started earlier. He beat Novak Djokovic 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2.
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