Clijsters faces Williams in semi-final
September 08, 2010 11:27:00 UK
Kim Clijsters is looking forward to a US Open semi-final against Venus Williams, but she will have to improve on her last eight performance against Sam Stosur.
Clijsters was out of form for much of her 6-4 5-7 6-3 win over fifth seed Stosur on Arthur Ashe court, but found enough composure to emerge victorious for the 19th time in a row at Flushing Meadows.
There were 15 breaks of serve in a match littered with errors from both players, but as the game reached its climax the Belgian finally found some form to hold off her Australian opponent, who should have made the most of Clijsters' sluggish opening.
Third seed Williams had it slightly better, beating Francesca Schiavone 7-6 (7-5) 6-4, meaning the pair will now face each other for a place in the final.
Kim Clijsters is 1.44 to triumph in this semi-final clash, while Williams can be backed at 2.75.
Clijsters said: "It's been really tough to get used to the weather conditions here, every match has just been a battle and you have to try and beat it.
"I tried to be a little more aggressive in the final set but my serve wasn't going as well as I'd like it to. I ended up winning though and that's all that matters.
"Venus is a great competitor and she's playing some great tennis. She's American too and that will be a fun match to play.
"I've had some great matches against Venus and Serena, it'll be a great challenge and I'm excited to be in another semi."
Clijsters started particularly poorly but came from a break behind to sneak the first set.
She could not repeat the trick in the second as Stosur showed some real resilience. Following six consecutive breaks of serve in the decider, Clijsters finally got her game in order, stringing together three consecutive games to take a 6-3 triumph.
Williams was in better touch, though not her formidable best and needed a tie-break to take the opening set against sixth seed and French Open champion Schiavone.
A service break put her 4-1 up in the second but although Schiavone returned gutsily to get back in contention, Williams broke again to seal the win.
Venus Williams is currently 6.00 to win the Women's 2010 US Open outright, with Kim Clisters available at 2.75.
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