• US Open, Day 14

What They Said

ESPN staff
September 11, 2011
Sam Stosur admitted she had 'one of her best days' © PA Photos
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Superb Stosur stuns Serena
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Sam Stosur admitted she had achieved a lifelong dream after beating Serena Williams to claim her maiden grand slam title. She was, however, quick to pay tribute to her opponent.

"I think I had one of my best days, I guess I'm really fortunate that I was able to do it on this stage in New York, where I've always loved to play," she said.

"Ever since I knew what a grand slam was I dreamed about this, and I don't really know what to say. Serena you're a fantastic player and a great champion and you've done wonders for our sport."

She may have been furious with the umpire, but Serena Williams was gracious in defeat, admitting that she was outplayed by an inspired Stosur.

"I was doing my best and I hit a winner but I guess it didn't count," she said. "It wouldn't have mattered in the end, Sam played really well. I tried my hardest but she just kept hitting winners, so I was just left thinking, 'What am I doing?' I tried, I had fun, it's good. Six months ago I never thought I'd be standing here today… I didn't even think I'd be standing! I was pretty close. I'm pretty emotional, I might start crying!"

Oliver Golding, having become the first British male since Andy Murray to win the US Open boys' title, confessed he has work to do if he is to become a top player: "I think physically I can still get a lot better. I have been working on that quite a lot recently, but I still think there is a lot of room for improvement there. And tactically as well, I can get a little bit more aware and get better coming forward into the net. But I think I'm going in the right direction at the moment. If I could have [Murray's] career, I'd definitely take it a hundred times over."

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