US open gallery: women’s draw, day 9
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“I’m surprised that I’m sitting here talking to you right now,” admitted Kim Clijsters as the former world No.1, now an unranked wildcard returning from early retirement, after beating No.18 seed Na Li 6-2 6-4 to reach the US Open semi-finals.
The 2005 champion, who has returned to action after two years away from the sport, will play defending champion Serena Williams for a fairytale spot in Saturday’s final.
Clijsters got off to a strong start, breaking in games two and four to lead 5-1, before serving out the set in 25 minutes.
The 26-year-old Belgian kept up the pressure to break Li’s serve again at the start of the second set and had break points for 3-0 before Li responded.
The Chinese No.1 held serve and then recovered from 1-3 down, including her first break of Clijsters’ serve, to lead 4-3.
But Clijsters undid all Li’s good work with a crucial fourth break in game nine to leave her serving for a place in the final four, which she quickly wrapped up, ending the match just after the hour mark.
“Obviously I feel good about it. It’s a nice feeling to have, knowing I was able to win it in two sets,” Clijsters said. “Even in that second set I got a little bit closer, but I was just able to finish it off in straight sets.”
Li was full of praise for Clijsters, admitting “she’s much stronger than other girls.”
If Clijsters is to outdo Jimmy Connors 1991 wildcard run to the semi-finals, she will have to beat defending champion Serena WIlliams, who saw off Flavia Pennetta in straight sets.
“Serena is a great athlete and a great girl and we always have some good laughs in the locker rooms and that’s what makes it fun as well,” said Clijsters. “She’s always been able to step it up at the grand slams.
“I mean, I’ve seen her play here and she has that face where she’s like, ‘okay, I’m here to do business.’ But that doesn’t mean that you don’t get chances when you get to play her.”
Serena certainly did the business against No.10 seed Pennetta, subduing the in-form Italian 6-4 6-3 in the night-session.
Pennetta restricted Williams to a single break in each set, but it was all the world No.2 needed to secure a fifth straight-sets victory in Flushiing Meadows.
Williams, for one, is looking forward to taking on Clijsters. “She is such a great person and I only wish the best for her,” she said of the Belgian, who will leap back into the top 50 after her New York exploits. “It will be a great match. She has nothing to lose and is having so much fun. It makes me so happy.
“Intitially I was surprised,” admitted Williams when asked about her thoughts on Clijsters’ impressive return to the tour. “But she did so well a couple of weeks ago that I knew she was someone to look out for.”
