Serena Williams Wins 2008 US Open Title and Regains No. 1 Tennis Ranking
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Sep 7, 2008 | Print |
Serena Williams captured her ninth career Grand Slam title on Sunday at the 2008 US Open.
Williams defeated No. 2 Jelena Jankovic in straight sets 6-4, 7-5 in the women’s singles final.
The final, which was delayed an extra day because of Tropical Storm Hanna, was one of the best US Open championship matches in recent years. Although Serena won her third US Open title in straight sets, Jelena Jankovic played spectacular tennis and forced Serena to come from behind in both sets.
“I was proud to be in the final, but I’m obviously disappointed that I lost,” said Jankovic during the trophy presentation. “Serena was the better player tonight.”
By virtue of winning the US Open, Williams also regained the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour number one singles ranking, overtaking outgoing number one Ana Ivanovic and Jankovic.
“I am so excited. I wasn’t even going for No. 1,” said an overjoyed Williams after the championship. “It’s just like an added bonus.”
Williams become the second straight winner (Henin in 2007) to claim the title without dropping a set. She also achieved this feat at the 2002 US Open.
Serena was awarded a winner’s purse of $1.5 million dollars. She has now overtaken Martina Navratilova for the No. 3 spot on the WTA Tour’s all-time prize money list.
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Dapxin | Sep 7, 2008 | Reply
Aaress,
This final was as soaking watch as it was for the players. Was it that hot at Arthur stadium or Serena just got that wet from gameplay ?
What a final. But once again, Jankovic loses this, imo, for her over-reliance on defensive play. Serena clearly tired out midway into the game.
But Jankovic is such a joy to watch - her smiles, on court is unbelievable.
My ***. Serena is No1 again. Whatever is Justine thinking ? lol
Suze | Sep 7, 2008 | Reply
Laughs@Daxpin - Well, Serena, despite all her shenanigans, and seeming disdain for opponents who subdued her in the past, definately knows how to play like a true champion when necessary.
Like I mentioned before, one of the few players who knows how to hang in there and comeback when behind. Justine, well, she wouldn’t be surprised really. Sharapova..hmm, I wonder what she will be thinking for next year’s challenges.
But, excellent final all round. Serena was clearly fatigued from all her earlier exploits plus the humid conditions down there, there was a real ’storm’ churning in the meadows. She wanted this win so bad.
Jelena played well, but Jelena is fast becoming like a ‘Kim Clijsters’; always there and working hard but with never quite enough to clinically finish it.
That said, the 2008 US open Crown belongs to Serena! Brilliant! Venus need not sulk now, she lost to the eventual champion, lol!
PaulaV | Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
Jelena “had it” the second set, and could have pushed it to a third, but I think her mental game was just unstable enough for Serena to take back the lead.
PaulaV | Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
One more thing…what was with the umpire challenging a line call? Has that ever been done before, and is it even legal?
Renee | Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
This was a great final, I am very proud of Serena accomplishment to take home the US Open Title and the No. 1 seed. You go Girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dapxin | Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
I have been moderated in my post, Is it out of the way to use those ?
seeking enlightenement this time….
Aaress Lawless | Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
Hi Dapxin,
Your post was moderated for profanity. For more info, you can check out this link:
http://www.onthebaseline.com/comment-policy/
Thanks!
Aaress Lawless | Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
Paula,
I’ve not seen the official rules, but to my knowledge, Alison Lang was well within her role as an umpire to request the instant replay. I believe in her case, it is called an official review, instead of a player challenge.
I have never seen a chair umpire do that before, but was pleasantly surprised to see her make that judgment call.
For 2009, I would like to see a clarification of the challenge rules, including whether it is permissible for a player to ask an umpire if the ball is in/out.
Also, I think the Tour needs to stop players from looking at the people in their box for confirmation before issuing a challenge.
Roger | Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
Most players respect the winner - I doubt Maria or Justine bothered to even watch the final. They have their own things to deal with. Sad to see this sort of poor postings on this nice website from the immature Serena fans. I would think you’d be able to appreciate how difficult it is to stay on tour even in a season. Why ridicule or insult Maria and Justine fans? They weren’t even in the draw.
astrid | Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
hey you!
never ever told kim clijster like that
She’s one greatest talent in tennis. Even she won only 1 slam, you not supposed to give any commentary like that. I love kim and miss her.
Do you think how many slams she will win if she’s in tne tennis now, ha? do you think ana or elena or dinara or any russian girl could beat her if she’s in the best form? i don’t think so..
so please don’t give any negative commentary for kim.
astrid | Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
also..
kim won about 40 or whatever titles in wta tour.
so how could you said so rude about her?
she’s not only there and do nothing! She did many things!
you can’t compare jelena and kim like that!
Dapxin | Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Aaress,
I still dont get it. the moderated 3 words there was God as in “my God”. how is that profane ?
Aaress Lawless | Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
My apologies for the confusion, Dapxin.
Because I am a Christian and want to promote family-friendly values, I have chosen to make sure that at OTB we avoid the use of all profanity, including sexual, profane, vulgar, and in this case, abuse of deity words.
Aaress Lawless | Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Astrid, Kim Clijsters was an excellent tennis player, as her career results attest. However, she routinely struggled in major tournaments—regardless of her health.
While I don’t believe Jankovic has reached the same level of success as Clijsters did before retiring, there are several parallels between their two careers.
Both of them have suffered from chronic injuries, both reached the No. 1 ranking without winning a major, and both of them were huge fan favorites, yet consistently struggled to deliver their best results when it mattered most.
The jury is still out on Jankovic, but if she can take her US Open run a step further, she might finally win a Grand Slam title, too.
Roger | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Aaress and staff,
Congratulations on 3 years for the website. Good job folks.
About Clijsters? She’s far superior to Jankovic in every department. Her serves were very good, and she had alot of aces too in matches. The forehand was A+, and she hardly struggled in early rounds.
One thing great about Kim and Justine for tennis fans were the opportunities to see them play againt the greats and veterans like Steffi, Monica, Arantxa, Capriati, Martina Hingis, Conchita Martinez, and Mary Pierce.
Suze | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Thank you Aaress! You stated my point exactly.
I love Kim, infact, I always admired her love for the game. “You don’t have to hate your opponents to beat them”- Kim. I was one of those who referred to her as “Kim-possible”. A single slam title or ten, she was No.1 .. Hopefully, Jelena will also win a Slam title or more.
I wouldn’t want anyone to read anything negative into the comments, not my aim.
In my opinion, Serena’s rivalries were at their most intense against Sharapova and Justine(retired). That is why I believe their future encounters(Maria) would be interesting. Much like Serena, Maria can also consider herself as a credible No.1 player, and rightly so, she has been a WTA No.1.
Fans of Maria or Kim or Justine for that matter, need not feel offended by anything. Tennis is a competition, there will be a winner and a loser. Mind you, I did say they both played well. Who knows, Maria may return from injury and completely dominate the tour, rising to No.1
My two favs are Justine and Amelie, simply because, when on form, they play a more rounded type of game. But, I will always applaud any other player, Safina, Sharapova,Hantuchova, Serena, Venus, Ana, Jelena or anyone who overcomes the competition and wins the Crown.
I think the sport is bigger the players themselves. Commiserations to any non-Williams fan who feel offended.
Aaress Lawless | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Thank you, Roger!
Suze, very well said about the sport being bigger than the players themselves. True, the WTA Tour relies heavily on the marketing appeal of its players, but the sport of professional tennis will continue to exist, regardless of a Venus, Serena, and Maria. You can replace these names with any dominant player over the last 40 years. All players are ultimately expendable.
We’re simply at the start of a new era of dominance. The question is will it be the Williams Sisters/Maria 2.0 or a new opportunity for lots of young blood on the WTA Tour?
PJ | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Serena Rock!! Once again. It was truly a battle and Serena was dynamite! Hey did you notice how Jelena could not get enough of admiring herself on the big screen.