Trophies and tantrums at the US Open

World number one Djokovic defeated Tipsarevic (20) and Federer (3) in the quarters and semis respectively to reach the final for the second year in a row. While the match against Tipsarevic was concluded when the lower-ranked Serb retired injured, Djokovic’s game against Federer went to five sets, with Federer not taking advantage of two match points before the battling Serb won the final set 7-5 to claim his place in the showdown.

And he faced the same opponent as last year, after Nadal knocked out Roddick (21) then Murray (4) in his matches. After Nadal collapsed with cramp in a post-match interview earlier in the week, there were concerns for the reigning champion but he looked the same quick, attacking and powerful player on the court.

It was Djokovic who came out on top in the final though, with an incredible performance seeing him blow away his opponent 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 to clinch his first US Open and his third Open title of the year. He was alert, fast, attacking and strong, beating Nadal in almost every area of the court and breaking his serve countless time, something neither Nadal nor fans are too used to seeing. But perhaps it wasn’t too big of a surprise - the Serbian has been playing some fantastic tennis this year and has lost only twice! This caps an impressive year for a player who, at 24, still many years of tennis in him.

So, why does Andy Murray miss out on silverware once again? At the same age as Djokovic, he is yet to win his first Open title while Djokovic has ten. In the first week of the competition, Murray looked sharp and on form, only dropping three sets before his semi-final clash with Nadal. But then he seemed to struggle with his mentality when the matches got closer. Yes, his opponents were better and while he did show great mental and physical strength to come back from two sets down against Haase, the fourth seed in the world won’t ever really seal his name in the history books alongside the greats like Djokovic unless he wins an Open too. I don’t doubt this will happen one day but obviously, for whatever reasons, it isn’t quite Murray’s time to shine yet.

In the women’s final, home talent Serena Williams (28) faced Sam Stosur (9), an Australian whose name has been little known until recently but who proved she was not to be underestimated by knocking out Zvonareva (2) and Kerber in the quarters and semis. Williams was similarly impressive in her approach to the final, seeing off Pavlyuchenkova (17) and Wozniacki (1) without dropping a set, continuing an impressive competition for the America.

It was Stosur who took the lead in the final, taking the first set 6-2 and Williams looked disgruntled. This passion finally overtook her and after being penalised for shouting out “come on” after believing she had won a break point, with the umpire awarding the game to Stosur, Williams launched a tirade of angry comments at the official. Stosur won the second set 6-3 to seal victory and her first ever grand slam title.

Williams may have escaped easily with a $2,000 fine rather than a ban but should she have been punished more severely? Emotions can get the better of you in a final but that’s no excuse to lose respect for those around you. Williams earned £900,000 for reaching the final – a fine a lot bigger than $2,000 is needed to have any impact. And don’t forget that Williams was put on a probationary period for the four Opens for 2010 and 2011 and fined $84,000 after verbally abusing a line judge after a foot-fault call at the US Open in 2009. Not out of that probation period (just one set away!) surely Williams’s re-offending calls for severer punishment: admired and idolised by so many, this isn’t the kind of attitude the sport of tennis needs to or should put up with.

Add Comment

You must log in to submit a comment.