Serena Threatens Lineman, Costs Her Match Against Clijsters

New York, NY (AHN) – The U.S. Open heated up Saturday night following a 6-4, 7-5 bloodbath between Wildcard Kim Clijsters and defending champion Serena Williams – so much so, that Match Point was determined by a threat to a lines judge.

Serena was on serve, 6-5 in the second set, when she was given a foot-fault, resulting in a double fault. She rushed over to the line judge and made a threat of some kind.

The lineswoman immediately reported it to the official, which resulted in her being warned. She had already received a warning with no penalty for hitting her racket against the court in the first set, so she was docked one point, which resulted in her default.

The tournament director came down, another argument ensued, which ended when Williams walked to the other side of the net, shook Clijster’s hand, and left the court.

The boos that chorused around the stadium were deafening.

It may not have been the story book finish that Clijsters was hoping for, but the 26 year old mother has become the first parental player to reach the final of Grand Slam since Evonne Goolagong in 1980.

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2. Clijsters Tops Li, Moves On To U.S. Open Semifinals
3. Clijsters Collects Second U.S. Open Title; Topples Wozniacki
4. Williams’ Sisters Win Another Doubles Title; Serena Apologizes For Outburst
5. U.S. Open Swings Into Action, Roger Federer Wins Opening Match In Straight Sets