‘Champions Trophy win has changed Pakistan team’
The chair for the 2009 Clijsters match -- verbally attacked her during the changeover. “If you ever see me walking down the hall, look the other way,” she said. “Because you’re out of control. You’re out of control. Totally out of control. You’re a hater
Former cricketer Aamir Sohail reckons the Pakistan team led by Sarfraz Ahmed will come up with a clinical show in the upcoming Asia Cup to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 15. Sohail, who will work as an expert with tournament broadcaster Star Sports, has said that the men in green will make a difference in the prestigious tournament, backed by the confidence gained after winning the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. “I think winning ICC Champions Trophy changed the outlook of the Pakistan Cricket team. It gave them a lot of confidence and at the same time, they are assured of their places now,” the former Pakistan cricketer expressed.
Naomi Osaka became the first Japanese to win a Grand Slam singles title on Saturday as her idol Serena Williams angrily imploded, calling the chair umpire in the US Open final “a thief”. Osaka, 20, triumphed 6-2, 6-4 in the match marred by Williams’s second set outburst, the American enraged by umpire Carlos Ramos’s warning for receiving coaching from her box.
When a second code violation for racquet abuse was handed out to her -- along with a point penalty -- Williams exploded. She tearfully accused him of being a “thief” and demanded an apology from the official. “You’re attacking my character,” she said.
“You will never, ever be on another court of mine. You are the liar,” she fumed and Ramos handed her a game penalty for a third violation - verbal abuse - that put Osaka one game from victory at 5-3 in the second set.
Williams won the next game, and continued her tearful remonstrations with a supervisor on the changeover. But Osaka held serve to seal a historic win for her country. “It doesn’t really feel that real right now. Maybe in a few days I’ll realise what I’ve done,” said Osaka.
Williams, seeking a first Grand Slam title since the birth of her daughter Olympia on September 1 2017, was denied a 24th Grand Slam title that would have matched Margaret Court’s alltime record.
Williams’s outburst overshadowed an outstanding performance from Osaka, who made her second career title a Grand Slam after winning her first at Indian Wells in March.
A match with history at stake for both players got off to a tense start and it was Williams who blinked first, double-faulting on break point to give Osaka a 2-1 lead. After a confident hold punctuated by a 106 mph ace Osaka broke again to lead 4-1, silencing the crowd. They came to life again as Williams gained her first break chance, which Osaka saved with a 117 mph service winner. Williams squandered one more chance before Osaka sealed the hold with another big serve. It was in the second game of the second set that Williams was warned for receiving coaching, a charge she vigorously denied.
Williams was up 2-1 on the changeover when she spoke again with Ramos appearing to
KARACHI: MELTDOWN Sixtime US open champ hurls series of verbal volleys on way to loss NEW YORK: SERENA’S US OPEN IMPLOSIONS I have never cheated in my life. I have a daughter and I stand for what’s right for her. I’ve never cheated, and you (chair umpire) owe me an apology.
You will never be on another court of mine. Say it. Say you’re sorry. And you stole a point from me. You’re a thief.
SERENA WILLIAMS NEW YORK:
smooth things over, and she finally found a way to break Osaka for a 3-1 lead.
When Osaka broke back with the aid of two double faults and a backhand into the net from Williams, the American smashed her racquet to the court. A second code violation came with a point penalty to start the next game that sent her into orbit. After Osaka broke for a 4-3 lead Williams continued her verbal assault on Ramos, who docked her a game for a third violation that put Osaka up 5-3.
The scene recalled Williams’s rant at a line judge in her US Open semifinal loss to Kim Clijsters in 2009. “I always thought I should put like a GoPro on him during my matches.” “Sleep! I’m not really a social person like that. Maybe I’ll play video games.”
OSAKA
ACES DOUBLE FAULTS BREAK POINTS WON NET POINTS WON FIRST SERVE % WINNERS UNFORCED ERRORS TOTAL POINTS WON
Because we don’t have signals. We have never discussed signals,” said Williams.
Williams said the incident strengthened her belief that women players are treated differently to their male counterparts in the sport.
“I’ve seen other men call other umpires several things. I’m here fighting for women’s rights and for women’s equality,” she claimed.
“For me to say ‘thief’ and for him to take a game, it made me feel like it was a sexist remark.
“He’s never taken a game from a man because they said ‘thief’. For me it blows my mind. But I’m going to continue to fight for women.”
Williams made reference to the incident last week when French player Alize Cornet was warned for removing her shirt on court during a heatwave.
“The star of the show has been once again the chair umpire,” he wrote.
“Should they be allowed have an influence on the result of a match? When do we decide that this should never happen again?” “I don’t know what happened on court. I’m always going to remember the Serena that I love.”
-