FLUSHING MEADOWS, New York – Australia’s Samantha Stosur upset three- time US Open champion Serena Williams 6-2, 6-3 to claim the US Open title, her first major tournament title. Stosur is the first Australian woman to win a Grand Slam event since Evonne Goolagong at Wimbledon in 1980. She is the first Australian to win the US Open since Margaret Court in 1973.
“I think I had one of my best days …I’m very fortunate to do it on this stage,†Stosur said.
“She was cracking them today, ” noted Williams. She definitely hit hard and just went for broke.”
Despite the dominating scoreline for Stosur, the match will be remembered for the umpire’s decision to award a point to Stosur when Williams yelled “Come on“ during a point when she thought she had a winner as Stosur was swinging at the ball.
Eva Asderaki, the chair umpire for the match ruled that Williams interfered with Stosur’s ability to finish the point and gave it to Stosur. Williams argued with the chair umpire to no avail.
“I think my opponent played really well” said Williams. ” I actually thought  it was a winner, but she did really good to even put her like racquet on it. I thought it was a clear winner. I thought it was the hat drop rule, where if you drop a hat you kind of replay the point. I don’t know. I think for the most part it was just — I don’t know, I tried my best. As always, I gave my 100%.”
The umpires’s ruling was supported by the tournament referee. According to the International Tennis Federation rules;“If a player is hindered in playing the point by a deliberate act of the opponent(s), the player shall win the point. However, the point shall be replayed if a player is hindered in playing the point by either an unintentional act of the opponent(s), or something outside the player’s own control (not including a permanent fixture).â€
Two games after the incident while Williams was seated during the changeover continued to talk to the chair umpire Asderaki: “You’re out of control. … You’re a hater, and you’re just unattractive inside….Really, don’t even look at me.â€
On whether or not Williams regretted what she said to the umpire at the chamgeover after call:” I just am really excited to be here really and to have gotten so far. To get here has been a really great experience for me. I regret losing, but I think there was nothing I could do today. I think Sam played really, really well.
“I don’t even remember what I said. It was just so intense out there. It’s the final for me, and I was just – I have to go – I guess I’ll see it on YouTube. I don’t know (Laughter.) I don’t know. I was just in the zone. I think everyone, when they play, they kind of zone out kinda thing. I don’t know, I’ll see it later, I’m sure.”
“I just yelled, ‘Come on.’ It was a great shot. It was beautiful. I hit it like right in the sweet spot. I don’t know. It was a good shot, and it was the only good shot I think I hit. I was like, Whoo Hoo, so…”
Stosur’s thoughts on the incident,“I was just kind of there, realizing what was happening. It had never happened (to me) before. I was trying to see what was happening. I’m aware of the rule. Obviously, it was something I’d never had to deal with before.â€
In 2009 in the US Open semifinals against Kim Clijsters, Williams disputed a foot fault call against her and received a point penalty which gave Clijsters the match.
“The last 14 months has been anything less than disastrous,” said Williams. “And it’s been really, really, really hard. You know, to even have a chance to play for the US Open I would have never thought I would have had that chance, you know, seven weeks ago, I mean during Wimbledon or whatever, you know, let alone six months ago. I just would have never thought that that opportunity would have been available. So I can’t be too upset at myself. I think I’m excited that I’m healthy and alive and still, you know, competing with the best.
“I definitely wanted to win today all because of 9/11 and everything that New Yorkers and Americans and — you know, 10 years ago I was actually at the same stage right before this all happened. It was a really deep moment for all of us. So obviously as the last American left I kinda wanted to do well, but it didn’t — I mean, it didn’t work out the way I planned. Like I said earlier, my prayers are always with, you know, the victims and like everyone that worked so hard and risked their lives for our safety. It’s unbelievable, really.”
The win improves Stosur’s record against Williams to 3-4. This is Stosur’s first tournament title of the 2011. She now has three career titles. At 27 Stosur became the oldest US Open winner since Martina Navratilova won the title at 30 in 1987.
http://youtu.be/Ap32zLk4T0A