News Americas, FLUSHING, NY, Mon. Sept. 12, 2011: Serena Williams failed to win the U.S. Open yesterday, but not before she abused another chair umpire.
Williams was beaten by the ninth-seeded Aussie, Sam Stosur, in the women’s semi-finals in Queens, Sunday. The 6-2, 6-3 win came after Williams got into an argument with the chair umpire in the second set; a slight reminder of the ugly tirade of two years ago.
Chair umpire Eva Asderaki ruled that Williams hindered Stosur’s ability to complete the point and awarded it to Stosur – putting her ahead 1-0 in that set.
“I’m not giving her that game,” Williams told the umpire after the game was called for Stosur. “I promise you, that’s not cool. That’s totally not cool.”
Some fans began booing, delaying the start of the next game as both players waited for the commotion to subside.
During the changeover two games later, Williams continued to talk to Asderaki, saying, “You’re out of control. … You’re a hater, and you’re just unattractive inside.”
Williams also told the official: “Really, don’t even look at me.”
Asderaki issued a code violation warning for verbal abuse, and Tournament director Brian Earley said he would speak to the chair umpire and review tape to determine whether Williams would be fined. That decision will be announced today.
At her news conference, Williams rolled her eyes while deflecting a question about whether she regretted what she said to Asderaki.
“I don’t even remember what I said. It was just so intense out there. … I guess I’ll see it on YouTube,” Williams said.
But there was no ugliness as witnessed two years ago as Williams continued to play.
After the loss she noted: “She played really, really well. I mean, I don’t think she’s ever played that well. Maybe she has; I haven’t seen her play that well.”
As for the 27-year-old who has won her first finals: “I’m still kind of speechless. I can’t actually believe I won this tournament,” Stosur said of her win. “I guess to go out there and play the way I did is obviously just an unbelievable feeling, and you always hope and you want to be able to do that, but to actually do it, is unbelievable.”
