Rain forces women's final delay - US Open 2008

Serena Williams of the US will take on Serbia's Jelena Jankovic in New York on Monday with both the US Open title and the number one ranking at stake.

The match was scheduled to begin at 0000 BST on Sunday, but the remnants of tropical storm Hanna forced a delay.

Williams and Jankovic will now take to Arthur Ashe Stadium for the rescheduled final at 0200 BST on Monday.

It will be the first time since 1974 that the women's US Open final is not played on a Saturday.

Williams will start as favourite as she goes for her ninth Grand Slam and third US title, while Jankovic is appearing in her first Grand Slam final.

The pair have a 3-3 record in career meetings, with one win apiece this year, but the American's huge advantage in experience is expected to tell.

Jankovic, 23, is the world number two and has won six career titles but had lost in four previous Grand Slam semi-finals before beating Elena Dementieva on Friday.

The 27-year-old Williams, in contrast, is ranked third but has won eight Grand Slam titles and is aiming to win her third at the US Open, where she triumphed in 1999 and 2002.

However, Jankovic is convinced the fact that she is finally feeling healthy gives her a chance.

"To be honest, this has been the first Grand Slam that I don't have any injuries, that I don't have any issues bothering me," she said.

"(In the past) I wasn't thinking about, you know, tennis. I was thinking, 'Oh my God, this is hurting. This is bothering me.'

"So I was really struggling and really not playing my tennis and not thinking about my game."

But Jankovic admitted that she might struggle to cope with Williams if the American is at the top of her game.

"Overall, she's, I think, the strongest player on the tour, together with her sister. Nobody has the power that they have. We cannot compare.

"At least I cannot compare to any of them, you know, with their strength. They're great athletes, really. I'm a little athlete. They move really well. They hit the ball so hard.

"If you want to really win when they're in form, you really have to be on the top of your level and you really have to go for every shot and really have to run a lot.

"So it will be difficult, but it's doable."

Williams is keen to play down the favourite tag and put the pressure on her opponent.

"I don't feel expected to win," she said. "I feel expected to show up and do the best that I can do, and I feel like I have nothing to lose.

"I'm going against, you know, someone that's ranked higher than me. She has a lot of pressure to win her first Grand Slam, and I'm just enjoying every moment."

Williams won a tight three-set battle the last time the two played each other in the Miami final in April, and she expects another test.

"I don't know too many people on the tour that can hang in there as much as she can," said Williams. "She's playing well, and she's just going for glory here."

And as for the added incentive of regaining the number one ranking for the first time in five years, Williams said: "Number one is not my goal right now.

"I know I'll get that eventually if I continue to play the tournaments. I just want to be able to win the Grand Slams, and, you know, play and stay healthy.

"And I think the ranking will definitely come."