Achieving the Impossible Mission

What a shocker this US Open turned out to be! After Serena cruised through the draw, disposing of young guns Victoria Azarenka, Ana Ivanovic, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and world number 1 Caroline Wozniacki, she looked to be holding her fourteen Grand Slam trophy at her fingertips. Moreover, faced with an opponent known for choking on big occasions, i.e. Samantha Stosur, the final showdown looked like a mere formality for the ruthless American. Based on her imperious display, she was everyone's favourite for the title. 

But as often happens nowadays in this unpredictable sport, the unexpected occurred. Williams seemed slow early on and out of sorts, allowing Samantha to impose her supremacy. Relying on an efficient kick serve and some powerful forehands, the Aussie took the first set 6-2. It marked the first time Williams lost a set this fortnight. Renowned for fighting her way up through a match though, everyone was waiting for her comeback. She had some chances of building an advantage at a start of the second set, but a strange altercation with Greek umpire Eva Asderaki proved vital for the American. She failed to gain her focus and composure, slipping to a straightforward 6-2,6-3 defeat.

In spite of all the distractions that surrounded this final, credit must be given to a brilliant Stosur. She held her nerves, was focused from the beginning to the end and made Serena work extremely hard for every point. She was aggressive, went after winners and didn't give anything away. All these paid off and, at 27 years old, she witnessed her dream come true by winning a maiden Grand Slam trophy. She might not be a typical champion, but as Schiavone did last year at the French Open, she has now achieved a feat that the likes of Azarenka, Wozniacki, Dementieva or Safina failed to.

It might be farfetched to assume that the Australian will rule the world following her success at the Flushing Meadows. As with Schiavone or Li, Samantha is likely to retain her place in the top 10, but she doesn't have the attributes, nor the consistency, to challenge Williams, Sharapova, Azarenka or Wozniacki on a steady basis. She might have accomplished a sort of mission impossible, but at the end of the day, she will always be remembered as the 2011 US Open singles champion. This is something that can never be taken away from her.

After failing to Francesca Schiavone in the 2010 Roland Garros final, Sam Stosur has finally captured that elusive Grand Slam trophy, disposing of an erratic Serena Williams 6-2,6-3.

photos:  GETTY IMAGES