Hewitt hails Stosur’s US Open triumph

Sydney, Sep 14: Australian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt has hailed Samantha Stosur after she produced the match of her life to win the US Open women's singles title.
"It's fantastic for her and, obviously, women's tennis at the moment is pretty wide open as well for her to really try and make a stand on it," Fox Sports quoted Hewitt, as saying.
"I think anytime anyone wins a grand slam, you hope that's going to help the growth of that sport as well and the profile of the sport," he added.
Stosur became the first Australian woman to win a grand slam singles title in 31 years when she defeated Serena Williams 6-2, 6-3, in the final at New York's Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday.
The win makes Stosur her country's first female Grand Slam champion since Evonne Goolagong Cawley won Wimbledon in 1980 and the first Australian woman to win the US Open women's singles crown since Margaret Court Smith in 1973.
Hewitt, who won the Wimbledon in 2002, was the last Australian to win a grand slam title.

Continue Reading... Tags: Australia, Lleyton Hewitt, Sydney, Tennis

Short-pitched bowling to Raina similar to Superman’s exposure to Kryptonite: Ian Chappell

Sydney, Sep 12: Indian star Suresh Raina is a talented batsman with a fatal flaw that wasn't addressed in his formative years, according to former Australian captain Ian Chappell.
"Raina is a left-hander of the modern generation and has played a role in India's success in the shorter versions of the game, but was also part of the problem in their recent abject failure in the Test series in England," Chappell wrote in an article for espncricinfo. com.
"He can thrash an attack when the field is spread and the bowling restricted, but crowd him and apply the threat of short-pitched bowling and it brings a reaction similar to that of Superman exposed to Kryptonite," he added.
He further said that it is crucial for a batsman with international ambitions to be able to play all the shots.
"What then separates the successful players from those who fade quickly is the knowledge of when to utilize the different weapons in one's armoury. A wise army general doesn't order machine-gun fire when the situation calls for heavy artillery," Chappell wrote.

Continue Reading... Tags: Australia, Cricket, Ian Chappell, Sydney

Stosur''s parents, brothers watch her US Open win from Gold Coast

Sydney, Sep. 12 : The Gold Coast-based family of Australian tennis star Samantha Stosur have expressed their jubilation at her stunning US Open triumph.
Sam''s parents and brothers watched the final on television from their Surfers Paradise high-rise apartment this morning with loud cheers and screams heard from down on the footpath on match point.
Talking to the media afterwards, Stosur''s father Tony said the family was overjoyed.
"We''re so proud of her. Her mum had tears streaming down her face, I think we all did," news. com. au quoted Tony Stosur, as saying.
Both parents spoke to the tennis world''s newest champion over phone moments after the presentation ceremony.
Her former junior coach Nick Watkins was also over the moon at the stunning straight-sets triumph.
"She played a great match. Hopefully she can really kick on and there is no reason why she couldn''t win another three or four slams," he said.

Continue Reading... Tags: Australia, Samantha Stosur, Sydney, Tennis

Oz PM, sports legends hail Stosur’s US Open success

Sydney, Sep 12 : Australian tennis star Samantha Stosur's US Open women's singles title win is being rated as one of the country's greatest sporting achievements.
Stosur became the first Australian woman to win a grand slam singles title in 31 years when she defeated Serena Williams in the final at New York's Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday.
The 27-year-old produced the match of her life to beat Serena 6-2, 6-3, in an hour and 13 minutes.
The win makes Stosur her country's first female Grand Slam champion since Evonne Goolagong Cawley won Wimbledon in 1980 and the first Australian woman to win the US Open women's singles crown since Margaret Court Smith in 1973.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said in a statement that the "great achievement shows that the future of Australian tennis is on the rise."
"She has shown great determination and skill to win the US Open and everyone involved with tennis in Australia will be celebrating with her today," the Herald Sun quoted Gillard, as saying.
Goolagong-Cawley said that Stosur's achievement would inspire future generations of Australian female tennis players.
"It's just a wonderful day for women's tennis. It's great for Australian tennis," Goolagong-Cawley said.
Australian tennis coach Roger Rasheed said that Stosur's performance was almost perfect.
"It was about the purest performance that you can have in a Grand Slam and this is about as daunting as it gets. It would have been the biggest occasion of Sam's life, but she came out played as relaxed as she could possibly play, though she probably had butterflies inside," Rasheed said.
"To think she hadn't played on centre court for the whole tournament, that she had played the longest tie-break and the longest match in history leading into this ... it's thoroughly deserved," he added.
Former Australian tennis player Mark Philippoussis tweeted: "Amazing performance congrats to Sam Stosur ... so proud of her."
Formula One driver Mark Webber tweeted: "Sam Stosur what a effort!! You can be extremely proud of that one that's for sure.. Really enjoyed the silent crowd!! super!!"
Former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath tweeted: "A huge congratulations to Sam Stosur on winning the US Open. That is an incredible effort. Well done Sam :)"
Former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne tweeted: "Sam Stosur wins US open - awesome effort, well done!!!"

Continue Reading... Tags: Australia, Samantha Stosur, Sydney, Tennis