NEW YORK –– Defending U.S. Open champion Serena Williams lost her crown in sudden and stunning fashion in the semifinals against Kim Clijsters on Saturday night after she cursed out a lineswoman in the wake of a foot fault call.
Williams was then assessed a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct on match point.
Williams, the No. 2 seed, had been issued a code warning for racquet abuse after smashing her racquet on set point in the first set. The second violation for abuse of an official resulted in a point penalty and Clijsters was awarded the match, 6-4, 7-5, before a stunned crowd in a half full Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“It was not an immediate default. It was a point penalty that happened to be given on match point,” tournament director Brian Earley said on ESPN.
(Photo courtesy Reuters)
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