Features

Stunning end to tennis season

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 16/09/2009
Tennis betting

Drama, excitement, controversy and upsets. The US Open had it all and the final Grand Slam of the 2009 season will live long in the memory.

Few pundits would have picked Juan Martin Del Potro and Kim Clijsters to be the ones celebrating at Flushing Meadows, but those that did would have been laughing all the way to the bank.

Del Potro confirmed his undoubted potential after overcoming Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals and then world number one and runaway sportsbook favourite Roger Federer in a titanic five-set tussle of a final.

The 20-year-old Argentine twice came from behind to upset Federer and claim the first Grand Slam title of his burgeoning career.

Federer was expected to sweep to victory in the rain-delayed final, but saw his five-year, 40-match unbeaten record disappear on a night of high drama in New York.

Del Potro could now emerge as a serious contender for Federer's world number one crown as doubts continue to surround the future of Nadal amid suggestions of a worsening knee condition, while Andy Murray again flattered to deceive in what is the Scot's favourite Grand Slam tournament.

Murray was expected to reach the final for the second year in succession but was disappointingly beaten at the fourth-round stage by Croatia's Marin Cilic.

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However, as much of a shock as that was, it paled into insignificance compared to what happened in the women's draw.

Coming out of a two-and-a-half year retirement in which she got married and had a baby, Clijsters walked away with the second Grand Slam title of her career.

The 26-year-old Belgian was a wildcard entry into her first major tournament since 2007 but walked away with the title following a 7-5 6-3 final victory over Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark.

In truth, the final was something of an anti-climax following the controversy which had ended her last-four encounter with the much-fancied Serena Williams.

Williams erupted when a line judge called a foot-fault and the one-point penalty after she verbally abused the official led to a Clijsters victory.

The tournament favourite had earlier been given a code violation for racquet abuse in a stormy encounter which will be remembered as much for Clijsters' victory as it was Williams allegedly threatening the line judge's life.

Serena ended an unhappy tournament with some degree of success after winning the women's doubles alongside sister Venus, but her acrimonious singles exit - which led to the maximum fine of ten thousand dollars - could well dog the rest of her career.

Elsewhere, Britain did have some reason for cheer as 17-year-old Heather Watson became the first winner of a US Open girls' singles title.

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