Yesterday evening, defending U.S. Open champ (and part-time Jersey girl) Kim Clijsters defeated Vera Zvonareva to win the women's final. Clijsters, who also won the Open in 2005, said, "Whenever I step on this court, I don't know, it just feels like coming home."
Still, her decisive 6-2, 6-1 victory not only made her the first woman to defend her U.S. Open title two years in a row since Venus Williams in 2001, it also has created some handwringing about women's tennis. The Guardian said, "In 15 years this event has not produced a three-set final. Not since Chris Evert beat Evonne Goolagong 6-3, 6-0 in 1976 has the tournament witnessed a more lopsided title decider. Those people who advocate equal prize money (Clijsters will pick up $2.2m (£1.4m)) will surely cringe at further evidence of the disparity between the men's and women's game, let alone the women's game when stacked up against different eras."
During the match, CBS analyst John McEnroe said at the beginning of the second set, "This might be the most I've ever wanted Kim Clijsters to lose serve. She's such a great person, but this is difficult to watch right now." Zvonareva also broke her racket during the second set, after slamming into into the ground a few times in frustration. But after the match, Clijsters told her, "Just keep it going. It will happen," and Zvonareva said, "She’s a great champion but also a great person.... Maybe because she said that, maybe I’m not so disappointed right now."
