Kim Clijsters defeatedCaroline Wozniacki in the final, 7–5, 6–3 to win the women's singles tennis title at the2009 US Open. It was her secondUS Open title and secondmajor singles title overall. Clijsters was the first unseeded player andwild card to win the title, and the first mother to win a major sinceEvonne Goolagong in1980. Following her win, she appeared at world No. 19 in the rankings. It was only Clijsters' third tournament since giving birth and coming out of retirement, and has been described as one of the most stunning championship runs in tennis history.[1]
Serena Williams was the defending champion, but was defeated in the semifinals by Clijsters. A foot fault was called for Williams at the end of the second set, producing two match points for Clijsters. Williams argued the call and was given a point penalty for intimidating a line judge, ending the match (having already had a warning for racquet abuse earlier in the match).[2]
Svetlana Kuznetsova's loss in the fourth round guaranteed a first time major finalist from the top half of the draw. Wozniacki was the first Danish woman to reach a major final, and the first Scandinavian woman to reach the final sinceMolla Bjurstedt Mallory in1918.[3]
This marked the final major appearance of two-time major championAmélie Mauresmo, who lost toAleksandra Wozniak in the second round. This was also the final major singles appearance ofAi Sugiyama, who made a record 62nd consecutive major singles appearance, losing in the first round toSamantha Stosur.