The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Venus looks more hungry than ever, says Clijsters

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Venus looks more hungry than ever, says Clijsters

Venus is capable of doing amazing things: Clijsters
Venus and Clijsters are 6-6 in career meetings

NEW YORK: Venus Williams has shaken off a sore left knee that had benched her since Wimbledon and breezed into the U.S. Open semifinal against reigning champion Kim Clijsters without dropping a set.

Venus, reaching the final four at a Grand Slam for the first time since last year's Wimbledon, has impressed Belgian second seed Clijsters with her mental strength and desire as well as her shot-making.

“The way she's been playing and the way she has mentally looked, I think it has been good for her to have been away for that long because she looks more hungry than ever,” Clijsters said.

“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,” added the Belgian.

Two-time U.S. Open champions Clijsters and Venus have split 12 matches, but the former has won their past four meetings, including a three-set triumph in the fourth round here last year.

“We had a great match last year. It was really close,” Venus said. “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. I would like to kind of flip the way it turns out.”

Clijsters is trying to become the first defending champion to repeat since Venus in 2001 and stretch her 19-match streak at Flushing Meadows.

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

“She is capable of doing amazing things and you just have to hang in there and push her. At the same time, you have to be aggressive and go for shots and try to make her commit errors,” Clijsters said.

“I'll have to be ready. I'll have to be able to move well. I'll have to retrieve a lot of balls, but at the same time be aggressive,” she added.

Venus, who expects Clijsters to be aggressive, said she was impressed by the Belgian's title run last year after a two-year break to start a family.

“Just the ability to compete (is unique),” Venus said. “I think in coming back from her lay-off, I think she never lost that. When you're a really, really incredible athlete, it really takes your game to another level.

“Great competitor. She plays her best tennis, it seems, at this tournament. I'm sure it's a place she feels really comfortable,” added the third-seeded American.

Venus has not won a U.S. 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),” Venus said. “But, I'm just focused on the semifinals, and I don't get too excited unless the tournament is over.” — AFP

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