Tennis news: Venus Williams, the only competing American in the U.S. Open
The No.3 Venus Williams is the only American singles player left in the tournament, after the last of her 15 compatriot in the field, 20th seeded Sam Querry was defeated by 7-6 (9), 6-7 (5), 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 to No. 25 Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland earlier Tuesday.
When she was asked that whether she feels any responsibility to carry American hopes, Williams smiled and replied: "If I felt like that, I don't think I'd be able to even raise my arms. Thankfully, I don't feel that way. I think my expectations are enough to deal with, so I'm just going to hopefully temper that.”
Williams arrived at this U.S. Open with a newly-recovered knee. She hadn’t played a single match in more than two months. She also hadn’t reached the semi-finals at any Grand Slam tournament in more than a year.
However, the former U.S. Open champion is now two victories away from her U.S. Open title since 2001.
The American overcame nine double-faults and total of 33 unforced errors to beat French Open 2010 champion Francesca Schiavone 7-6 (5), 6-4 in the quarterfinals Tuesday night.
"I want to be in the final, because then obviously it's just one more step," the 30-year-old Williams said. "But I'm just focused on the semis, and I don't get too excited unless the tournament is over."
Williams will play the upcoming semi-final against defending champion Kim Clijsters, who has justified her reputation by defeating French Open runner-up Samantha Stosur by 6-4, 5-7, and 6-3.
More tellingly, Clijsters feels that Williams is a tough competitor and she is been playing some really great tennis in her last few matches. Clijsters is looking forward to it, and it will be a threatening challenge for her.
Venus Williams has a lengthy list of successes, including seven Grand Slam singles titles. Two of them she won at the U.S. Open in 2000 and 2001. But she last made the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows 2007, and she hasn’t played a single title match since after losing to the great champion Serena Williams in 2002, who is her sister as well.
Querry and Wawrinka stayed nearly for 4 and a half hours, meaning William and Schiavone didn’t start on the same Arthur Ashe Stadium court until after 6 p.m. but Williams didn’t mind the delay at all.
"I'm a pro at waiting for my match; singles doubles, you name it, and I’ve waited. I've waited for rain delays. That's a part of tennis," said Williams, whose other five major singles championships came at Wimbledon. "I'm a pretty laid-back person, so I don't get too tight waiting."
She and the sixth-seeded Schiavon didn’t play the match, as both the players wanted to, thanks to whirling wind that Williams said made it possible to practice serves during warm-up time, because her ball tosses kept going off course. Still Williams handled the conditions skilfully in the end, improving to 8-0 against Schiavone.
The fall line of Williams Eleven clothing line has been on display here at the U.S. Open causing excitement and interest, when Venus strips off her warm-up jacket before the first point. She has shown some surprising variety in this match and as it turns out, Williams is able to judge people and situations well. She has seven different outfits hanging in her Manhattan hotel room, maybe one for each match required to win the U.S. Open title this time.
So it wouldn’t be only Williams grabbing the attention. Her dresses too, are designed to keep commentators busy and fans musing.
Schiavone has now lost all eight of her career matches against Venus Williams but afterwards she was energetic enough to use Williams’ words that she had a chance and capability to beat her but she didn’t avail it. Although she played different balls, pushing Williams to defend and didn’t give her the chance to play how she wanted. So, every time when these two professional tennis players meet, they have a big fight.
This is the time for Venus Williams to prove herself in the U.S. Open semi-finals. With tennis fans eyes glued to the ongoing tournament, it is yet to be seen how Venus Williams fills the American expectations.
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