Serena sets up Clijsters clash at US Open
Thursday, 10 September 2009
NEW YORK, Sept 9(AFP): Defending champion Serena Williams set up a US Open semi-final showdown with comeback queen Kim Clijsters on Tuesday by defeating Italy's Flavia Pennetta 6-4, 6-3.
It was a fifth consecutive straight-sets win for the American, who has been in imperious form as she seeks a fourth US Open crown and a 12th Grand Slam title overall.
But going up against Clijsters, there will be an element of the unknown as the Belgian is amidst a stirring return to the fray after more than two years of retirement during which time she married and had a baby.
Clijsters defeated Serena's sister Venus in the fourth round and her 6-2, 6-4 quarter-final win over China's Li Na leaves her unbeaten in 12 games at Flushing Meadows stretched over four years and her title win in 2005.
"She is such a great person and I only wish the best for her," Williams said of her next opponent.
"It will be a great match. She has nothing to lose and is having so much fun. It makes me so happy.
"Initially I was surprised (how well Clijsters was doing on her comeback), but she did so well a couple of weeks ago that I knew she was someone to look out for."
Pennetta, a 27-year-old Italian who has belatedly stepped out of the shadows this year to become the first woman from her country to break into the world top 10, gave as good as she got in the early exchanges against Williams.
She got to 4-4 before Williams started to turn on the power as and when she needed holding serve easily and then break Pennetta's serve to love.
It was a fifth consecutive straight-sets win for the American, who has been in imperious form as she seeks a fourth US Open crown and a 12th Grand Slam title overall.
But going up against Clijsters, there will be an element of the unknown as the Belgian is amidst a stirring return to the fray after more than two years of retirement during which time she married and had a baby.
Clijsters defeated Serena's sister Venus in the fourth round and her 6-2, 6-4 quarter-final win over China's Li Na leaves her unbeaten in 12 games at Flushing Meadows stretched over four years and her title win in 2005.
"She is such a great person and I only wish the best for her," Williams said of her next opponent.
"It will be a great match. She has nothing to lose and is having so much fun. It makes me so happy.
"Initially I was surprised (how well Clijsters was doing on her comeback), but she did so well a couple of weeks ago that I knew she was someone to look out for."
Pennetta, a 27-year-old Italian who has belatedly stepped out of the shadows this year to become the first woman from her country to break into the world top 10, gave as good as she got in the early exchanges against Williams.
She got to 4-4 before Williams started to turn on the power as and when she needed holding serve easily and then break Pennetta's serve to love.