Maria Sharapova and Justine Henin-Hardenne line up for the women's final on Arthur Ashe Stadium
Henin-Hardenne makes the better start to the final, breaking Sharapova in the second game for an early lead
But Sharapova is in determined mood in only her second Grand Slam final, breaking twice to wrap up the first set 6-4
Sharapova plays spectacularly in the second set, eventually breaking in game eight on her way to a 6-4 6-4 win
Sharapova points out that she has now won two Grand Slam titles - or maybe she's just greeting the press
Sharapova celebrates by heading into the crowd to hug hitting partner Michael Joyce, watched by her father Yuri
Her first significant error of the day is dropping the trophy lid on her head but it's not going to spoil her moment
A gracious Henin-Hardenne puts on a brave face as Sharapova enjoys that Grand Slam feeling once again
The men's semi-finals sees world number one Roger Federer storm into a 3-0 lead against Nikolay Davydenko
Davydenko is also in trouble in his second service game, but finds a couple of big serves to register his first game
But the Russian's joy is short-lived as the Swiss ace closes out the set without further mishap in just 21 minutes
Federer breaks again to take game five of set two, but Davydenko fights back with a break of his own next game
The defending champion is in imperious form though and breaks in game 11 before serving out the second set
Federer breaks midway through the third set, but Davydenko refuses to be beaten and hits back immediately
The number one seed regains his composure to seal a 6-1 7-5 6-4 victory and move closer to his third US Open crown
Home favourite Andy Roddick is broken early on by Mikhail Youzhny in their semi-final, but hits back to level at 3-3
The remaining games go with serve and it is the Russian who holds his nerve to win the first-set tie-break 7-5
Roddick moves up a gear in the second set and breaks Youzhny's serve three times to level the match
Youzhny's serve is under pressure in the third set but another tie break is needed and this time Roddick prevails, 7-3
Roddick is made to work hard but takes his fourth match point for a 6-7 (5-7) 6-0 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 victory
|
~RS~a~RS~International~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~59~RS~){kind=small}
E-mail this to a friend
