• US Open, Day 14

Superb Stosur stuns Serena to win US Open

ESPN staff
September 11, 2011
Sam Stosur beat Serena Williams in straight sets © Getty Images
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Sam Stosur delivered a major upset to claim her maiden grand slam title, beating red-hot favourite Serena Williams in straight sets to win the US Open.

The ninth seed blazed through the opening set before fending off a Williams comeback to claim a 6-2 6-3 victory at Flushing Meadows.

While many expected three-time champion Williams to roll over her Australian opponent, Stosur was not overawed by the occasion, or her opponent, as she replied with a confident service hold to settle the nerves.

Her powerful forehands were forcing the former world No. 1 around the court, and she was rewarded for a positive start with an early break when the American sent a backhand long. She had the chance to force a double break after a blistering return down the line, but Williams saved it with a roar after Stosur netted following a lengthy rally.

But while Stosur was holding her service games with ease, Williams was under relentless pressure, and she was left to rue a series of uncharacteristic errors as Stosur tightened her grip on the opening set. A wild forehand handed the ninth seed three break points, and Williams tamely surrendered with a weak backhand into the net after being forced out wide by another superb return.

But she didn't stop there, and kicked on where she left off in the second set, forcing two break points in Williams' opening service game. The American saved the first with an ace, and thinking she had got herself out of trouble with a huge forehand, screamed before Stosur had the chance to hit her return. The umpire, ruling that Williams' scream acted as a hindrance to Stosur, awarded the point and therefore the game to the Australian.

Two years after her controversial semi-final exit after verbally abusing a line judge, Williams launched a torrent of abuse at the chair umpire, accusing Eva Azderakia of being "out of control".

Finding herself a set and a break down, Williams channelled her anger onto the court, and she broke back immediately with a ferocity lacking in the opening set. With Stosur desperately needing to stem the tide, she survived a Williams barrage to hang onto her serve.

Having weathered the storm, Stosur had her chance when what looked like a sure-fire backhand winner from Williams hit the net for break point. And the Australian grabbed the opportunity with both hands, patiently feeding the returns before another Williams error clinched the break.

With the finish line in sight, Stosur kept her emotions in check, calmly holding serve before further Williams errors handed her two championship points. Williams hung on, but it merely delayed the inevitable as Stosur clinched a memorable victory at the third time of asking.

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