A furious world number one Serena Williams destroyed her racquet in frustration and called the chair umpire a liar during Poland's historic Hopman Cup tennis title triumph on Saturday night.
Poland went ahead 1-0 after Agnieszka Radwanska shocked 18-time major champion Williams 6-4, 6-7 (7-3), 6-1 in front of 10,867 fans at Perth Arena.
Isner ensured the top seeds stayed alive with a 7-6 (12-10), 6-4 win over Jerzy Janowicz, but Poland prevailed 7-5, 6-3 in the deciding mixed doubles to snare their maiden Hopman Cup crown.
The mixed doubles was not without controversy.
With the US 2-1 down in the second set and staring at defeat, a point had to be replayed after Janowicz prematurely celebrated after he thought both Isner and Williams had struck the ball.
Williams believed the US should have been awarded the point due to Janowicz's distraction and a five-minute argument involving all four players, the chair umpire and the ITF referee ensued.
The Americans ended up winning the replay, but a few games later Williams twice smashed her racquet on the court after missing a simple backhand.
Radwanska leapt into the arms of Janowicz once the pair secured the Cup.
Williams, a two-time Hopman Cup champion, entered her singles match having won all of her previous eight contests against Radwanska.
Such was the dominance, Radwanska had only ever won one set against the American - in the 2012 Wimbledon final.
But Radwanska came out with all guns blazing in Perth, the world number five even serving for the match in the second set.
Williams broke back before winning the second-set tiebreak, but Radwanska came up with the goods when it mattered most in the third to secure the win in 125 minutes.
Photo: All square ... Jerzy Janowicz (L) of Poland congratulates USA's John Isner. (Getty Images: Will Russell)
Radwanska was part of the Polish team that lost last summer's Hopman Cup final to France and she would have been feeling a sense of deja vu after watching Janowicz falter.
The 203cm giant blew five set points in the first-set tiebreak, with Isner cruising to victory from that point on.
But the Polish pair produced the goods when it mattered most.
"It was one misunderstanding," Radwanska said of the mixed-doubles controversy.
"But oh well, the most important thing is we won.
"The title means a lot for us.
"I remember last year like it was a week ago. We lost the final in the mixed doubles, so I really wanted to win this one."
Williams said she enjoyed the tournament despite failing to come away with the title.
"Thank you John, you really held me up and gave us a chance in the final. Sorry I couldn't help you out," Williams said.
Sam Stosur ready to go after the Apia International Sydney 2015 draw
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Sydney sneak peak: Day 1
11 January 2015
Lucie Safarova (L) and Sam Stosur; Getty Images
It’s the day fans have been waiting for – the beginning of main draw action at Apia International Sydney 2015. And with a particularly stacked women’s field, the big names are gracing Ken Rosewall Arena from the get-go.
Which are the matches to see? Who could cause a boilover? What other things can fans look forward to? Find out all this and more in our Sydney sneak peak for Day 1.
Feature match
Sam Stosur v Lucie Safarova - Ken Rosewall Arena, third match
This match pits the local hope Stosur against the surging Safarova, who displayed great tennis at this week’s Hopman Cup and very nearly toppled world No.1 Serena Williams. Stosur has historically struggled at home, and even more against Safarova; the Aussie is 2-9 lifetime against the Czech, and has difficulty with the left-handed match-up. But she will take confidence from the fact that although the win-loss record is lopsided, the bulk of their matches have been close affairs. Their last contest in Charleston went three tight sets, and there have been many a 7-5 and 7-6 sets throughout their history. It’s going to take a big effort for Stosur to unseat the higher-ranked Safarova, but she’ll have the home crowd behind her on Ken Rosewall Arena. .. more .. http://www.apiainternational.com.au/2015/01/sydney-sneak-peak-day-1
SAM IN UPSET! FRENCH MARCH! .. as good as other top scenes we have seen .. magnificent tennis! .. and all while soaking in the brilliant work of Ed Vulliamy in Paris
Yes. Fucking 2003! .. reminds me of the young man in Saudi Arabia i read of .. he was an 'ordinary' guy .. as content as any with his life .. he said, 'but they invaded Muslim land again .. i have to go and fight that' .. so he went to fight against the Bush jnr's invasion force in Iraq .. looking for the post .. this fits a bit ..
By Matt Verderame @MattVerderame on Jan 20 2015, 10:30a
GEPA/USA TODAY Sports
The first day brought some surprising upsets, while the second day was less dramatic.
The second day of the 2015 Australian Open had a much more stable feel to it compared to Day 1. After an opening day which saw the women's bracket lose fifth-seed Ana Ivanovic among others, most of the ranked players were able to advance easily, including Serena Williams and men's top seed Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic was pitted against the unranked Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia and won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2 and 6-4. Djokovic has had success playing in the Australian Open, having won the grand slam tournament four times in his career and being a favorite in this year's tournament.
Elsewhere in the men's bracket, No. 4 Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland moved on without issue, defeating Marsel Ilhan 6-1, 6-4 and 6-2 in less than 90 minutes. Japan's Kei Nishikori rolled as the fifth seed, knocking out Nicolas Almagro 6-4, 7-6 (1), and 6-2.
On the women's side, Serena Williams breezed through her match with Alison Van Uytvanck, winning 6-0, 6-4. Williams was dominant to begin, winning the first set in 21 minutes before closing out the match in the second. Williams has 18 grand slam titles to her credit and would break the women's record .. http://espn.go.com/tennis/aus15/story/_/id/12197202/2015-australian-open-women-results .. held by Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova for the most all-time with an Australian Open title this year.
Other results from top matches are below, with a full list here.
Men's Singles
No. 8 Milos Raonic def. Illya Marchenko, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3), 6-3 No. 9 David Ferrer def. Thomaz Bellucci, 6-7 (2), 6-2, 6-0, 6-3 No. 17 Gael Monfils def. Lucas Pouille, 6-7 (3), 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 No. 18 Gilles Simon def. Robin Haase, 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 Benjamin Becker def. No. 25 Julien Benneteau, 7-5, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 Lleyton Hewitt def. Ze Zhang, 6-3, 1-6, 6-0, 6-4
Andy Murray says beating Novak Djokovic in Sunday final would be 'big upset'
22:30, 31 January 2015 By Neil McLeman
Scot downplays his chances of being the event's first British winner in 81 years, as he wasn't expected to get this far and has lost 4 in a row to the Serb
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