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Stosur stuns Serena for first singles slam
Source: Agencies |
September 13, 2011, Tuesday
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AUSTRALIA'S Sam Stosur tamed her own pounding heart and repelled everything - both good and bad - that Serena Williams hurled at her to win the US Open crown and her first grand slam singles title on Sunday.
The 27-year-old became the first Australian woman in 38 years to win the title when she upset a heavily-fancied but ultimately petulant Williams 6-2, 6-3, in an ill-tempered final that could land the American in more trouble.
Rather than being a memorable American coronation marking the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, instead this final will be remembered for another ugly outburst from the younger of the Williams sisters. "I definitely wanted to win today all because of 9/11," Williams said. "As the last American left I kinda wanted to do well, but it didn't work out the way I planned."
The three-time champion had been an overwhelming favorite to win Sunday night's showpiece but failed to produce her best on one of the biggest occasions in tennis, then took her frustrations out on the officials, earning a code violation for an outburst reminiscent of her tirade at Flushing Meadows two years ago.
Tournament officials launched an investigation into the incident and said they would hand down their findings today. Williams, who is still under probation for her tirade from 2009, could be suspended if they deem the incident to be a "major offense".
Her angry display threatened to overshadow a brilliant performance from Stosur, who played the match of her life to defeat the most formidable player of her generation and capture her first grand slam title, spoiling American hopes of a home-bred champion on an emotional night.
"I had one of my best days and I'm very fortunate that I had it on this stage in New York," Stosur said on court. "Ever since I started playing it was a dream of mine to be here one day."
Williams looked tired and ragged from the outset after sailing into the final without dropping a set but her semifinal win over world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki did not finish until just before midnight on Saturday, about 18 hours before the final.
She let her frustrations boil over and throughout the second set repeatedly argued with the chair umpire, rekindling memories of her ungracious exit from the 2009 US Open.
"If you ever see me walking down the hall, look the other way because you're out of control," Williams told chair umpire Eva Asderaki.
While Williams berated the official, Stosur remained composed. Stosur dominated the match from the start and fully deserved her win, played in front of a raucous Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd.
Stosur, one of the fittest and biggest-hitting players among women, put Williams under pressure from the beginning with some thunderbolt returns that pinned the American behind the baseline and attacked her backhand, forcing her to make errors.
Stosur broke Williams's serve twice in the first set, which she wrapped up in 31 minutes, then three times in the second while losing her own serve once.
Williams was sidelined for almost a year because of health complications after she cut her foot on glass after winning at Wimbledon in 2010 and had been on her best behavior until she blew up during the second set.
She was docked a point after screaming just as Stosur was about to try and return a shot and then was given a code violation in the next game for yelling at the umpire. "It wouldn't have made a difference," Williams said about the point she lost.
Stosur, seeded ninth, became the first Australian woman to win the US Open title since Margaret Court in 1973. The last Australian woman to win any grand slam was Evonne Goolagong-Cawley at Wimbledon in 1980. Stosur received a text from the former player: "Twinkletoes, you finally have got what you deserved."
Williams was gracious in defeat and defended herself for berating the umpire.
The 27-year-old became the first Australian woman in 38 years to win the title when she upset a heavily-fancied but ultimately petulant Williams 6-2, 6-3, in an ill-tempered final that could land the American in more trouble.
Rather than being a memorable American coronation marking the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, instead this final will be remembered for another ugly outburst from the younger of the Williams sisters. "I definitely wanted to win today all because of 9/11," Williams said. "As the last American left I kinda wanted to do well, but it didn't work out the way I planned."
The three-time champion had been an overwhelming favorite to win Sunday night's showpiece but failed to produce her best on one of the biggest occasions in tennis, then took her frustrations out on the officials, earning a code violation for an outburst reminiscent of her tirade at Flushing Meadows two years ago.
Tournament officials launched an investigation into the incident and said they would hand down their findings today. Williams, who is still under probation for her tirade from 2009, could be suspended if they deem the incident to be a "major offense".
Her angry display threatened to overshadow a brilliant performance from Stosur, who played the match of her life to defeat the most formidable player of her generation and capture her first grand slam title, spoiling American hopes of a home-bred champion on an emotional night.
"I had one of my best days and I'm very fortunate that I had it on this stage in New York," Stosur said on court. "Ever since I started playing it was a dream of mine to be here one day."
Williams looked tired and ragged from the outset after sailing into the final without dropping a set but her semifinal win over world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki did not finish until just before midnight on Saturday, about 18 hours before the final.
She let her frustrations boil over and throughout the second set repeatedly argued with the chair umpire, rekindling memories of her ungracious exit from the 2009 US Open.
"If you ever see me walking down the hall, look the other way because you're out of control," Williams told chair umpire Eva Asderaki.
While Williams berated the official, Stosur remained composed. Stosur dominated the match from the start and fully deserved her win, played in front of a raucous Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd.
Stosur, one of the fittest and biggest-hitting players among women, put Williams under pressure from the beginning with some thunderbolt returns that pinned the American behind the baseline and attacked her backhand, forcing her to make errors.
Stosur broke Williams's serve twice in the first set, which she wrapped up in 31 minutes, then three times in the second while losing her own serve once.
Williams was sidelined for almost a year because of health complications after she cut her foot on glass after winning at Wimbledon in 2010 and had been on her best behavior until she blew up during the second set.
She was docked a point after screaming just as Stosur was about to try and return a shot and then was given a code violation in the next game for yelling at the umpire. "It wouldn't have made a difference," Williams said about the point she lost.
Stosur, seeded ninth, became the first Australian woman to win the US Open title since Margaret Court in 1973. The last Australian woman to win any grand slam was Evonne Goolagong-Cawley at Wimbledon in 1980. Stosur received a text from the former player: "Twinkletoes, you finally have got what you deserved."
Williams was gracious in defeat and defended herself for berating the umpire.
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