South African Open (tennis) 1891 to 1967 during the Amateur Era – was Eric Sturgess, who won eleven titles between 1939 and 1957 and lost a further final in 1947 to Eustace Fannin. He also holds the overall record for the most consecutive titles won – seven between 1948 and 1954. Five players share the record for the most male wins at the tournament in the Open Era – Rod Laver (1969, 1970), Jimmy Connors (1973, 1974), Harold Solomon (1975, 1976), Vitas Gerulaitis (1981, 1982) and Aaron Krickstein (1992, 1993). The most successful female player at the South African Championships – played from 1891
2001 US Open (tennis) 2001 US Open (tennis) The 2001 US Open was held between August 27 – September 9, 2001. It was the final Grand Slam event of 2001. Marat Safin was unsuccessful in his title defence, being defeated in the semifinals by Pete Sampras in a rematch of the 2000 final, while Venus Williams was successful in her title defense, beating her sister Serena in the women's final. 20-year-old Australian Lleyton Hewitt won the men's title, defeating Sampras in the final. It was the second consecutive US Open final defeat for Sampras. Lleyton Hewitt defeated Pete Sampras, 7–6, 6–1, 6–1 Venus Williams