Samantha Stosur won the US open title in New York on Sunday.She has become Australia’s first female grand slam singles champion in 31 years after pulling off a stunning upset over American Serena Williams at this year’s US Open final;denying Williams a 14th title.

The Williams sisters have dominated the women’s game over the past 10 years, to a greater extent than any two players that have dominated this sport — an achievement made even more remarkable by their close sibling relationship.

Stosur entered a stadium in New York City named after the greatest African American male tennis player the world had seen, Arthur Ashe, and was drawn to play the greatest player of her era, Serena Williams, at a time when women’s tennis has gone from strength to strength.

The 13-time grand slam champion walked out onto court following emotional September 11 tributes ahead of Stosur, with the players hitting up in light rain.Fortunately for under-fire officials, it did not last long and play started on time with a calculating Stosur taking advantage of a nervous Williams to capture the first set in 31 minutes.For the most part,Stosur earned points from Williams’ mistakes.

Stosur produced the match of her life against a nervous Williams to win 6-2 6-3 in one hour and 13 minutes in front of 23,000 people on Arthur Ashe Stadium.The result made her Australia’s first grand slam champion since Evonne Goolagong Cawley secured her second Wimbledon title in 1980 and the first US open title winner since Margaret Court Smith(who has a record of 24 grand slam titles) in 1973.

The composure Stosur showed in capturing her maiden grand slam revived memories of Lleyton Hewitt’s win in the final on the very same court against Pete Sampras a decade ago.However the match was not without controversy with Williams berating the chair umpire after receiving a one-point penalty for verbal hindrance.

Williams shouted “come on” just as Stosur went to hit a ball on the baseline and the chair umpire penalised the American under the hindrance rule. Williams became heated even calling the umpire a ‘hater’. Adding. “If you ever see me walking down the hall, walk the other way”.

After the incident, an angry Williams seemed to be bringing on a come back. The decision handed Stosur an early break of serve and it infuriated Williams as she directed some sharp words at the chair umpire.It also woke up the crowd who booed the decision and a fired-up Williams then broke Stosur’s serve for the first time in the match.

The incident revived memories of Williams’ ugly outburst at a lineswoman during her semi-final loss to Kim Clijsters at the 2009 US Open. The altercation seemed to rattle Stosur for a couple of games but she held tough and took a break for a 4-3 lead in the second set.

The Queenslander yelled out “Come on” as she took a 5-3 lead before taking the match on her third championship point by ripping a forehand winner. As she claimed the winning point,an ecstatic Stosur threw her racquet in the air.At another time, she climbed the aisles to embrace her coach and team.

For winning the US open Stosur received a trophy and USD$1,800 000. Whilst, Williams won USD$ 900 000 for appearing in the final.

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