NEW YORK – Serena Williams hurled her racket skyward and bounded up and down in joy after winning her third U.S. Open title with a 6-4 7-5 victory over Jelena Jankovic of Serbia in the women's final on Sunday.

'I'm so excited,' the 26-year-old Williams said in a courtside interview before the trophy presentation.

The triumph also assured the American of reclaiming the number one ranking for the first time in five years.

'I wasn't even going for number one and it's just like an added bonus,' said Williams, who last won the Open in 2002.

'It is that special because I've been working so hard,' added the American, who collected a $1.5 million prize.

'I have to thank my parents, my mom for being so supportive and of course my dad for being there always.

'I love my family, and of course Venus,' she said of her older sister, who she defeated in the quarter-finals. 'She's given me some game plans for my last two matches. It really helped me get through.

'And Sasha, my hitting partner. I'm so mean to him sometimes. He got so many balls back and I was like: 'Jelena, is going to get everything back'. So thank you.'

Jankovic was playing in her first grand slam final.

'I was proud to be in the finals but I'm always disappointed when I lose,' said the Serb, who buried her head in a towel on the sidelines before the ceremony.

'Serena was a better player tonight. Congratulations to her for winning the whole tournament. She was just too good tonight.

'I really had a lot of injuries and struggled throughout the year with my health. For me to be in the finals was a great achievement.'

Jankovic grabbed back the microphone from the courtside interviewer to thank her family, trainers and even her drivers during the tournament at Flushing Meadows, reluctant to say goodbye.

'I want to still be playing here.'

(Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)