Serena Williams' bid to defend her U.S. Open title ended in controversy after the defending champion angrily remonstrated with a line judge at the end of her semifinal match against unseeded Kim Clijsters on Saturday.
Williams talks to head referee Brian Earley after being penalized in her semifinal against Clijsters.
The Belgian had been a set and 6-5 up when the line judge foot-faulted Williams on a second serve to give Clijsters match point.
Williams turned angrily to shout at the line judge and gesticulated with her racket, while some reports quoted Williams as saying "If I could, I would take this ... ball and shove it down your ... throat and kill you."
The line official informed match umpire Louise Engzell about the incident and tournament referee Brian Earley came on to the court as matters came to a head.
Should Serena show more respect to tennis officials or was she right to be angry? Sound Off below.
Williams continued to argue with the officials and disputed the version of events given -- before she stormed off to shake hands with Clijsters having realized she had been penalized a point on match point for verbal abuse.
Williams talks to head referee Brian Earley after being penalized in her semifinal against Clijsters.
The Belgian had been a set and 6-5 up when the line judge foot-faulted Williams on a second serve to give Clijsters match point.
Williams turned angrily to shout at the line judge and gesticulated with her racket, while some reports quoted Williams as saying "If I could, I would take this ... ball and shove it down your ... throat and kill you."
The line official informed match umpire Louise Engzell about the incident and tournament referee Brian Earley came on to the court as matters came to a head.
Should Serena show more respect to tennis officials or was she right to be angry? Sound Off below.
Williams continued to argue with the officials and disputed the version of events given -- before she stormed off to shake hands with Clijsters having realized she had been penalized a point on match point for verbal abuse.
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