Sydney, Sep 12(ANI): 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!!!" (ANI)
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