Serena fined $2,000 for US Open tirade

Serena Williams has been spared.

The USTA fined Williams just $2,000 today for her abuse of a chair umpire during Sunday's final loss to Aussie Samantha Stosur.

Even more importantly, the USTA announced Williams' offense did not rise to the level of "a major event'' hence it will not effect her two-year probation that was scheduled to end after this Open.

Had Serena been in violation of her probation, she could have been banned from the next Grand Slam.

Williams tore into the chair umpire in the second set after she was called for a "verbal interference'' infraction during a point for screaming "C'mon!''.

Williams had a similar incident two years ago at the Open with a lineswoman that caused her two-year probation and an $82,000 fine.

On Sunday, Williams told the umpire "Are you the same one who screwed me last year.'' She also railed at the umpire during the next changeover saying she was "unattractive inside'' and "Don't look at me.''

In a statement, the USTA said the fine for Serena's "verbal abuse is consistent with similar offenses at Grand Slam events.''

Williams' tirade overshadowed the brilliant display of tennis by the ninth-seeded Aussie, who dominated Williams in a stunning upset to become the first Aussie woman to capture the Open since 1973.