Del Potro upsets Federer to win U.S. Open
NEW YORK, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Argentine Juan Martin del Potro upset world No. 1 Roger Federer 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 Monday to win the 2009 U.S. Open.
The sixth-seeded del Potro is the first Argentine U.S. Open winner since Guillermo Vilas won in 1977.
Appearing in his first-ever Grand Slam final, the 20-year-old del Potro earned $1.6 million for winning the U.S. Open and an additional $250,000 for finishing third in the U.S. Open Series. He also received a convertible automobile.
Federer, the five-time defending champion, earned $800,000 for finishing second.
Del Potro is the first player to beat both Federer and former No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the same Grand Slam event.
Federer, 28, was trying to add to his men's record with a 16th Grand Slam title. It was the first time he lost to someone in a Grand Slam final other than Nadal. The last time Federer lost at the U.S. Open was against another Argentine, David Nalbandian, six years ago.
Federer was trying to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win three straight major titles in one year. The Swiss had won the French Open and Wimbledon.
Jacksonville loses DE Hayward for season
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Jacksonville defensive end Reggie Hayward will miss the rest of the season after fracturing his leg in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to Indianapolis.
Hayward is expected to have season-ending surgery Friday. Jaguars Coach Jack Del Rio said the injury is not career-ending.
This is the second time Hayward has suffered such an injury in the opening weekend of a season. He tore his Achilles tendon in the first week of 2006.
Hayward played in all 16 games last season for the first time since 2004, recording 4 1/2 sacks and two forced fumbles.
In his nine-year career with Denver and Jacksonville, Hayward has 39 1/2 sacks, one interception and seven forced fumbles in 92 games.
Czink, Craybas win at Bell Challenge
QUEBEC CITY, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Fifth-seeded Hungarian Melinda Czink and American veteran Jill Craybas were among opening-round winners Monday at the women's Bell Challenge.
Czink beat Australian Monique Adamczak 6-3, 7-6 (7-1) and the 35-year-old sixth-seeded Craybas beat fellow American Laura Granville 6-0, 6-1.
This week's top seed is Russian Nadia Petrova, who defeated American Bethanie Mattek-Sands in last year's finale.
Petrova will open defense of her title against American Carly Gullickson, who was a mixed doubles champ at the U.S. Open this past week.
Serena Williams issues tirade apology
NEW YORK, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. tennis player Serena Williams issued a second statement and an apology Monday about an on-court tirade at the U.S. Open.
Williams, who on Saturday exploded into a threatening, profanity-laced tirade at Arthur Ashe Stadium when she was called for a foot fault, acknowledged responsibility for the incident the next day but failed to issue an apology. On Monday, however, she made what she called an "amendment" to her Sunday statement, which included a specific apology, the Los Angeles Times reported.
"I want to amend my press statement of yesterday," Williams wrote, "and want to make it clear as possible -- I want to sincerely apologize FIRST to the lineswoman, (singles opponent) Kim Clijsters, the (U.S. Tennis Association) and mostly tennis fans everywhere for my inappropriate outburst. I'm a woman of great pride, faith and integrity and I admit when I'm wrong."
Williams and her sister, Venus Williams, then went on to defeat top-seeded Cara Black and Liezel Huber for the U.S. Open women's doubles championship.
