I was present at Serena and Samantha's first head to head meeting at the Rogers Cup in Toronto this year.
Aug. 14, 2011 Rogers Cup finals
Serena won 6-4 6-2. Serena leads 4-2 in head to head meetings.
Aug. 18, 2011 Cicinatti Open, 2nd round
Serena withdrew before her second round match against Samantha began due to a sore toe.
Sep. 11, 2011 US Open finals
My pre-match prediction: a 3-set match. Both women are playing for a great deal more than just themselves. They are playing for the pride of their nations.
Samantha is acutely aware of tennis history. In 2010, she was the first Australian woman to make the finals of a grand slam since Evonne Goolagong-Cawley won Wimbledon in 1980. She is the first Aussie woman to play in the finals of the US Open since Evonne did in 1977.
As an American, few victories could give Serena greater satisfaction than to win the US Open in New York on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, figuratively, in the shadow of the twin towers; especially in her come back year after an 11-month absence from tennis due to injury and serious illness.
Of course, I'm looking for Serena to win. This would be the crowning event to a Cinderella tennis season for her.
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Lesson learned. Don't make predictions; especially with regards to things over which I have zero input or control.
Samantha Stosur played a great match, taking the fight to Serena from the start. The quality of Samantha's play stalled briefly after a call from the umpire. She awarded Samantha a point that resulted in her winning a game after Serena shouted out triumphantly before Samantha had an opportunity to return a ball that she had just hit to her.
The crowd was very upset about the umpire's call and let their voice be heard -- very loudly for 20 to 30 seconds. Serena was upset and as a result, the calibre of her play increased dramatically after that. Nonetheless, Samantha's greater accuracy and mobility today prevailed.
Head to head match total is now Serena 4, Samantha 3. This was the first time that Samantha beat Serena in straight sets (6-2, 6-3).
It was a great match.
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