Serena Williams: 'My hard work is paying off'

Serena Williams has said that the work she put into preparing for Wimbledon has paid off in her run to the final at the US Open.

The world number one was knocked out in the third round at SW19 earlier this year, but secured her first Grand Slam final of the year with a straight-sets win over Russia's Ekaterina Makarova last night.

The American told BBC Sport: "There's always sceptics. I worked really hard for Wimbledon, and I was really disappointed and sad and shocked that I wasn't able to win.

"I worked hours, more than I worked before. Maybe it's just paying off now."

Williams will be looking for her third consecutive title at Flushing Meadows when she faces Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki in the final tomorrow.