US OPEN 2005: Final Thoughts

Kim Clijsters got the largest paycheck in women's sports: $2.2 million for winning the US Open and placing first in the US Open Series of tournaments leading up to it. She beat Mary Pierce very convincingly, 6-3, 6-1 in 65 minutes. Kim silenced the critics who said that she was "too nice" to win a Grand Slam title. Her win leaves Amelie Mauresmo as the only Number 1 player in the world never to have won a major championship.

Roger Federer showed everyone just what an amazing player he is in today's final. Despite not playing his best tennis (he was down 4-2 in the 3rd set before breaking back and holding serve to reach at tie-breaker which he clinched by winning the last seven points in a row). He did this while playing against Andre Agassi, one of the few men ever to win every single major championship in a career, eventually winning 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-1. This is Federer's 6th major title (2005 US, 2005 Wimbledon, 2004 US, 2004 Wimbledon, 2004 Australian, and 2003 Wimbledon) and 23rd consecutive win in a tournament final. He is now tied with Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker and one behind Mats Wilander and John McEnroe for most major titles won. Pete Sampras has 14, but Federer is 24 years old.