I will be back, vows Venus after final heartache

London: Venus Williams vowed to make amends for her Wimbledon final heartache by ending a bittersweet year on a high at the US Open. Williams failed in her bid to become the oldest Grand Slam champion in the Open era as the American star was crushed 7-5, 6-0 by Garbine Muguruza in Saturday’s title match.

Venus, beaten by sister Serena in the Australian Open final in January, has reached the two Grand Slams finals in the same year for the first time since 2003. With Serena set to miss the rest of the year as she prepares to have her first child, Venus will still be among the favourites to win her eighth Grand Slam title when the US Open gets underway in late August.

“I’m in good form. I’ve been in a position a lot of times this year to contend for big titles,” Venus said. “That’s the kind of position I want to keep putting myself in. It’s just about getting over the line. I believe I can do that.

“This is where you want to be. I like to win. I don’t want to just get to a final. It’s just about playing a little better. “I’ve had a great two weeks. I’m looking forward to the rest of the summer.”