There were several compelling stories on the women’s side at this year’s US Open. The one that occupied most of the crowds that came out to see the matches, and took up most of the American newsprint (and web pages) was that of Melanie Oudin. The 17 year old from Georgia came out of nowhere to advance to the quarter-finals here, and people couldn’t get enough of her. She became the darling of the women’s draw, and not far behind her was Yanina Wickmayer, a Belgian girl who also was unheard of by most before this year’s tournament. She made it all the way to the semi-finals, but didn’t get much recognition here in the States because of Oudin’s run. She didn’t even get the exclusive press back in her own country, as she had to share the headlines with countrywoman Kim Clijsters.

A championship win by either Oudin or Wickmayer here would have been the stuff of fairytales, or at least a pretty unbelievable Disney movie. Clijsters on the other hand had her own story to write here; one that didn’t require miracles, just great tennis. Still, her march to the Championship of this year’s US Open was the stuff dreams are made of.

With each passing day as she moved into the next round and then the next round, more and more talk was generated that she might actually be able to win this tournament. This, even after retiring from the sport 2 years ago and only playing a handful of matches before competing here. And then when she defeated one of the two-headed dragons that goes by the name Venus in the fourth round, there was truly the sense that she could accomplish that which was unthinkable only 4 weeks beforehand. It was Oudin who wrote "believe" on her sneakers, but it was Clijsters who earned that belief. Then, in the most convincing display of her right to the throne here, Clijsters slew the fire-breathing (and speaking) one called Serena.

Today’s triumph over Danish delight Caroline Wozniacki in the final was but a post-script to Clijsters’ quest for the grail. The winning score if you must know was 7-5, 6-3. It’s true that if Wozniacki did pull this match out, her’s would have been almost as compelling a story as Clijsters. Wozniacki actually played a good match, she just simply is not as good a player as Clijsters. Not yet anyhow. She exhibited very similar attributes on the court as the Champion Clijsters, running down a lot of balls and making Clijsters hit the extra shot or two to win a point.

There was the very slight possibility that Clijsters would, for lack of a better word, choke. And truth be told, she really did not play to the level she had been performing at in previous rounds for the first set tonight, and into the second. But against Wozniacki, that was good enough to put Clijsters up by a set, and even in the 2nd set at two games each. From there, Clijsters seemed to loosen up a bit, and played aggressively while keeping the ball in the lines. It wasn’t long before she was serving for the match. She ended this story with a climatic finish, setting herself up for a championship point which she put away with a smash at the net, then dropped to her knees. Thus with an epic ending to a great story, the crowds hailed their new Queen.

Wozniacki was roundly applauded for her efforts as well. She had a somewhat fortunate run to the final here, having only to beat one player ranked above her to get to the finals -- 6th seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova whom she beat in a tough three set come-from-behind match where she won the last two sets in tie-breakers. Still, she showed tremendous poise at every turn, and she fought gallantly against Clijsters. Certainly a lot more people know of her now than did just two weeks ago. She has become the new ‘it’ girl on the tour. Like Sharapova before her, and Kournikova before her, Wozniacki is one of the most searched for people on the web. And it doesn’t hurt that she is a darn good tennis player, and seems to be improving. Wozniacki is only 19 years old, and will surely be a factor in the top-10 for the next few years.

Perhaps she can even win the US Open next year: We're always looking for a good sequel.