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When Samantha Stosur took on Francesca Schiavone in the 2010 French Open final, she was the favourite. That was not the case in her final match-up against Serena Williams at the 2011 US Open.
Serena dropped not a set on her route to the final. Stosur, on the other hand, let many an opportunity to close matches early slip through her nervous fingers.
However, it was the Australian, much like Petra Kvitova at Wimbledon against Maria Sharapova, who exhibited nerveless character in the role of underdog. She was calm, composed and assured in her demolition of the 13-time Grand Slam champion.
Except for a brief period in the second set, when Williams indulged in a bit of gamesmanship swinging the momentum her way, the Brisbane native was in control of proceedings in the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Venus Williams watched aghast from the stands as her younger sibling painted herself as a victim despite being the aggressor; her petulance would have put to shame many a spoiled child.
Serena was all smiles and charm at the end of the match. Her ire was directed at the chair umpire, Eva Asderaki.
For Samantha Stosur, it was redemption for letting the 2010 French Open title slip out of her grasp.
Stosur is the first Australian woman since Evonne Goolagong Cawley to win a major. The last Australian to triumph in any Grand Slam was Lleyton Hewitt in 2002.
Congratulations, Sam! You deserve it.
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