Thaindian News

New York, Sept.10 (ANI): Belgian tennis star and defending US Open champion Kim Clijsters may not have dropped a set in this year’s edition of the tournament, but she says that she is wary about facing up to American Venus Williams in the today’s semi-final.

Clijsters has said that she has been impressed with Williams mental strength, desire and shot making skills.

“The way that she’s been playing and the way that she has mentally looked, I think it has maybe been even been good for her to have been away for that long, because she looks more hungry than ever,” The Age quoted Clijsters, as saying.

“She plays more aggressively. She’s steady. She’s focused. This is probably some of the best of Venus that I’ve seen for a while,” she added.

Two-time US Open champions Clijsters and Williams have split 12 matches, but Clijsters has won their past four meetings, including a three-set triumph in last year’s US Open fourth round.

“We had a great match last year. It was really close. I’m sure that match made a big difference for her, because she went on to win the title. I’m sure we’ll have another really good match-up,” Williams said.

Clijsters is trying to become the first defending champion to repeat since Williams in 2001 and stretch her 19-match win streak on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts, based on her 2005 and 2009 titles with a hiatus in between.

The last four players to eliminate Williams at the US Open have eventually won the title, a streak Clijsters began in 2005 and continued last year.

Williams has not won a US Open crown since 2001 but is not thinking about ending that drought at age 30 just yet.

“I want to be in the final, because then obviously it’s just one more step (to the title). But I’m just focused on the semis, and I don’t get too excited unless the tournament is over,” Williams said. (ANI)