http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/25/sports/tennis/25doha.html
Williams lost to the eventual champion in the two Grand Slam singles events she failed to win. She was beaten by Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia in the quarterfinals of the French Open. Then, in much-less-dignified circumstances, she was beaten by Clijsters in the semifinals of the United States Open after being jerked around the baseline and ultimately docked a point with match point against her for threatening a lineswoman who had had the temerity to call a foot fault.
Williams is still facing potentially stiff sanctions — including a large fine or a suspension — as the International Tennis Federation investigates the incident. The line judge involved, a Japanese national who has yet to be identified publicly, will not be in Doha, which averts a possible reunion with Williams. Allaster said the line judge had been invited to take part but declined, citing family reasons.
“We would have welcomed her, and she was on the official invitation list,” Allaster said.
Williams lost to the eventual champion in the two Grand Slam singles events she failed to win. She was beaten by Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia in the quarterfinals of the French Open. Then, in much-less-dignified circumstances, she was beaten by Clijsters in the semifinals of the United States Open after being jerked around the baseline and ultimately docked a point with match point against her for threatening a lineswoman who had had the temerity to call a foot fault.
Williams is still facing potentially stiff sanctions — including a large fine or a suspension — as the International Tennis Federation investigates the incident. The line judge involved, a Japanese national who has yet to be identified publicly, will not be in Doha, which averts a possible reunion with Williams. Allaster said the line judge had been invited to take part but declined, citing family reasons.
“We would have welcomed her, and she was on the official invitation list,” Allaster said.