Arthur Ashe stadium witnessed a cracker of a match that initially got delayed due to rain and finally it ended with Serena Williams walking out of the court after yelling at the line judge who called foot fault in her second serve at 15-40 in the second set and finally awarding the match point to Clijsters, ending the second set at 7-5.
Belgian comeback tennis ace Kim Clijsters is through to the finals of US Open Women’s Singles after upsetting the defending champion in what had been a dramatic semi final match.Serena lost the match to Clijsters after paying a penalty point for showing ire on the linesman. It was unfortunate for the sporting world as experienced Serena could have handled it much better. It’s not good in the spirit of the game and the role model that she is regarded in the world of tennis.
Although Clijsters would have asked for a fair finish, it was moment of utter happiness for her as she was almost ousting the champ. Her backhand was amazing and so her agility. The first half of the first set elonged clearly to Clijsters but then Serena sprung back with her speed. At one point a return from her came at a speed of over 120 mph. No one could do anything about such speed. Clijters looked more focused and she tried to play at corners; her intentions clear to make Serena run around the court.She had been quite successful.
Clijsters took the first set 6-4, Serena Williams for once was even warned for racket abuse and in the second set when the chair umpire awarded the match point to Clijsters, Williams walked off in anger.All said and done, the Belgian tennis pro is having a great outing at the Flushing Meadows’ coming after a long break with wild card she walks comfortably to the finals.
World number one Caroline Wozniacki and crowd favourite Maria Sharapova also sent notes of support through the organisers of the Pan Pacific Open, which begins on September 25. “I’ve watched all the disasters that hit Japan. I’m so sad for the families and everyone,” said Wozniacki, the event’s reigning champion.“I just see whole cities ruined, the families being separated and so many people killed. I’ve had so many great memories in Japan, I’ve always played well out there,” added the 20-year-old Dane, who also won the 2008 Japan Open.
Sharapova, a former world number one who claimed her first WTA singles and doubles titles at the 2003 Japan Open, said she had “incredible memories” of playing in Japan.—AFP