Samantha Stosur won the U.S. Open in commanding fashion Sept. 10, beating heavy favorite Serena Williams 6-2, 6-3. It’s the first major title for Stosur and the first win for an Australian woman since Margaret Court in 1973. Stosur’s best previous appearance in a major was at the 2010 French Open where she was a finalist. Incidentally, she also beat Serena there in the quarterfinals the same year.
At Flushing Meadows for their latest meeting, the final was never really in question. Stosur came out strong with her serve and didn’t allow Williams to get into her head like so often happens to opponents of Serena, who cruised through the tournament without dropping a set until coming up against Stosur.
Both Ana Invavic and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova were in their matches against Serena until began to creep into their heads, but Stosur would have none of it, serving in form and peppering the court with a sharp forehand and excellent return game. Stosur showed no signs of intimidation or nervousness, even when Serena went back to the same type of over the top antics that got her in trouble in 2009.
Serena railed into a lines person over a foot-fault call in that edition of the U.S. Open, the last time Serena played at Flushing Meadows. Serena was slapped with a heavy fine and given a two-year probation at the event, which she apparently violated.
When she acted out a similar tirade against the chair umpire this year, Serena may have put her future at the event in jeopardy. It’s quite possible she may be banned from the U.S. Open once a decision is made on how to deal with her unsportsmanlike conduct.
Stosur’s victory comes on the heels of another huge win for Australian sports, the Tour de France victory of Cadel Evans. What should be celebrated as a great moment for Stosur, her fans, and her country is being overshadowed somewhat by the schoolyard bully tactics and tirade exhibited by Serena Williams.
I think Serena did a disservice to herself, Stosur and the game. I can forgive her the initial outburst, even a little more. But the continued berating of an official at the personal level Serena took it to is beyond something officials and fans should tolerate.
Jeff Musall is a longtime fan and player of tennis. He began following the professional game as a kid back in the 70s, watching the greats of that era.