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Serena refuses to apologise for umpire tirade

Serena Williams could be fined for her outburst © Getty Images

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Serena Williams could be slapped with a fine for verbally abusing umpire Eva Azderakia, but the former world No. 1 refused to apologise for her behaviour during her US Open final defeat to Sam Stosur.

Although seeded No. 28, Williams was the overwhelming favourite to claim a fourth title at Flushing Meadows, but she was beaten in straight sets by a determined Stosur.

Faced with going a break down early in the second set after losing the opener, Williams saved the first of two break points with an ace, and after sending a sure-fire forehand winner down the line, screamed "come on" before Stosur had touched the ball. 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 Azderakia of being "out of control". She then continued to insult the official during a break in play.

Although gracious in defeat, Williams refused to apologise for her abuse, and did not shake Azderakia's hand after the match.

"I don't even remember what I said," Williams said. "It was just so intense out there. It's the final for me. I guess I'll see it on YouTube. I don't know. I was just in the zone. I think everyone when they play kind of 'zones out'.

"We live for these moments. Everyone lives to be in the final of Wimbledon or the final at the US Open. Whatever happens in that moment, you live for them and we breathe for them, and hopefully I'll be back for them."

Williams received a hefty fine and a suspended ban for abusing a line judge during her semi-final defeat to Kim Clijsters two years ago. Although her behaviour is unlikely to see that suspended ban imposed, she faces an anxious wait to see if she is fined for her outburst.

"Serena Williams was issued a code violation for verbal abuse by chair umpire Eva Asderaki at the conclusion of the first game of the second set during the US Open women's singles final vs Samantha Stosur," said a statement by the United States Tennis Association.

"Tournament referee Brian Earley is presently reviewing this incident on tape and also will have further discussions with the chair umpire to determine whether this code violation will result in a fine and, if so, the level of that fine. The decision regarding this matter will be issued Monday.

"Any impact this code violation might have on Serena Williams' grand slam probation would require the incident being ruled a major event. That determination will be made by the grand slam committee director."

Playing in only her sixth tournament this year after recovering from a serious health scare, Williams has moved up to 14th after picking up 1000 ranking points, while Stosur climbed three places to seventh. Defending champion Kim Clijsters drops to nine, but the biggest mover is semi-finalist Angelique Kerber, who leaps 58 places from No. 92 to 34th.

WTA Tour Rankings
1. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN), 2. Maria Sharapova (RUS), 3. Victoria Azarenka (BLR), 4. Vera Zvonareva (RUS), 5. Li Na (CHN), 6. Petra Kvitova (CZE). 7. Sam Stosur (AUS), 8. Francesca Schiavone (ITA), 9. Kim Clijsters (BEL), 10. Marion Bartoli (FRA)

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