Defending champion Kim Clijsters survived a brutal test of endurance to overcome Venus Williams and reach her third successive US Open final.Williams was devastating in the early stages, but faltered in the second-set tie-break, enabling Clijsters to recover and win 4-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-4.
The Belgian second seed will play Vera Zvonareva of Russia in the final.
"I'm glad she made a few double faults in the tie-breaker," said a relieved Clijsters. "It was a fun night".
It seemed an odd way to describe what was the ultimate war of tennis attrition, an enthralling contest punctuated by hitting of relentless power, unexpected shifts of momentum and a liberal sprinkling of ill-timed mistakes.
Not that two-time champion Clijsters will be unduly troubled by that, having followed up her fairytale triumph last year, when she won the tournament as a wildcard entrant having only recently come out of retirement, by reaching another final.
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Your thoughts on Kim Clijsters' victory over Venus Williams
She suggested as much when she said afterwards: "This is what you try to achieve - I never expected that I would come back in this position, but I'm glad I stuck through it and I live for these kinds of moments".
Venus blamed her performance on "too many errors", but promised to return next year in an effort to reach her first US Open final since 2002.
"I definitely feel like I'll be back next year," she said.
"This is what I do. I feel like I played great tennis, even with minimal preparation."
Third-seed Venus had looked a nailed-on winner until the second-set tiebreak, at which point her serve inexplicably deserted her. Two double faults were followed by an errant smash, and as Clijsters suddenly discovered her second wind, the American cut a disconsolate figure.
Her mood darkened further when Clijsters fashioned an early break in the decider, but at 3-4 the Belgian threw in a couple of double faults of her own before sending a drive volley long.
The initiative looked set to change hands again, but in the next game Clijsters somehow managed to conjure another break point, which she converted with a brilliant improvised lob.
A final determined push on serve took Clijsters to match point, and she sealed her place in the final with a backhand winner down the line.
She has now won 20 consecutive matches at the US Open, drawing level with Venus, Monica Seles, Martina Navratilova and Margaret Osborne duPont on the all-time list.
But while destiny seems to be on her side at Flushing Meadows, Clijsters will be all too aware that world number eight Zvonareva - who earlier upset top seed Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets - has beaten her in their two most recent meetings.
man united yakamatwa huku chelsea ikikandamiza katika ligi ya uingereza
PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND-UP
Chelsea yakandamiza ilhali United wakitota
Everton ikifanikiwa kupata mabao mawili katika dakika za mwisho mwisho wa mchezo wamefanikiwa kuzima ndoto za united za kuzoa points zote tatu katika mchezo ambao everton walikuwa nyumbani Goodson Park na kupata sare ya mabao 3-3 mchezo ambao Manchester United hawakuweza kumtumia mshambuliaji wao Wayne Rooney kufuatia kukumbwa na mataizo ya kifamilia.
Rooney hakuweza hata kusafiri kuelekea Goodison Park kufuatia manager wake Sir Alex Ferguson akitimiza jumla ya michezo 700 katika ligi kuu ya uingereza “Premier League” akionekana kumlinda kabisa mshambuliaji huyomwenye umri wa miaka 24 kutokana na kashfa za mashabiki wake.
Hali ilionekana kukiathiri kikosi mapema hasa baada ya ya kujikuta wakiwa nyuma kwa bao la Steven Pienaar lakini hata hivyo Darren Fletcher, Nemanja Vidic na Dimitar Berbatov wakafanikiwa kurejesha matumaini ya kikosi cha furguson kuibuka na ushindi na kuzoa points zote tatu kabla ya Tim Cahill na Mikel Arteta kuzima ndoto hizo.
Katika mchezo mwingine Chelsea wametumia faida ya United kutereza na wao kuikandamiza West Ham wakipata bao la utangulizi katika dakika ya pili ya mchezo katika ushindi wao wa mabao 3-1. Matokeo hayo yanamainisha kuwa kikosi cha Carlo Ancelotti bado hakija poteza hata point moja tangu kuanza kwa msimu huu .
Michael Essien ndiye aliyeanza kuiandikia Blues bao safi katika dakika ya pili ya mchezo kwa kichwa baada ya kona safi ya Didier Drogba ambaye pia alikuwa msaada katika bao la pili la Chelsea
Drogba akipiga shuti la free-kick la umbali wa 35 ambalo liliguswa na Rob Green kabla ya Matthew Upson kushindwa kuokoa na baadaye Salomon Kalou akaushindikiza nyavuni.
Bao la tatu liliwekwa ndani ya kimia na Jon Obi Mikel likiwa ni bao lake la pili huku bao la kujifariji la West harm likifungwa na Scott Parker .
Arsenal imeendelea kuwa “unbeaten” mpaka sasa baada ya kuichapa Bolton wenderous iliyokuwa na wachezaji kumi jumla ya mabao Bolton 4-1katika mchezo uliopigwa huko .Bolton walisalia kumi baada ya Gary Cahill kutolewa dimbani katika kipindi cha pili lakini kikosi cha meneja wa Arsene Wenger walionekana kung’ara kwa kucheza kandanda safi lililotakata.
Nyota mpya Laurent Koscielny aliiandiikia converted Arsenal's first-half pressure into a goal, stabbing home at the second attempt. However, the Gunners' defence still appears to boast the same holes as least season, and Johan Elmander took advantage on the stroke of half time, levelling from close range after Lee Chung-Yong's centre.
The Gunners did not have to wait long to restore their lead, thanks to the brilliance of Cesc Fabregas. Dancing his way towards the byline, the Spaniard cut the ball across for Marouane Chamakh to apply the finishing touch, and Bolton's task then became even tougher when referee Stuart Attwell controversially handed Cahill a straight red card for a challenge on Chamakh.
Alex Song's delightful chip made the points safe with 12 minutes left, before Carlos Vela applied the icing to the cake when putting the finishing touch to a wonderful 24-pass move.
Manchester City dropped yet more points under Roberto Mancini as Blackburn left Eastlands with a 1-1 draw. Mancini's men had already taken just four points from a possible nine this season, and now it is five from 12 after a bad error by Joe Hart.
City had much the better of the first half at Eastlands but, not for the first time this week, Hart produced a dodgy moment to hand Blackburn the half-time advantage. Hart and Kolo Toure dithered and hesitated as the ball lurked towards the City penalty area, and Nikola Kalinic capitalised to stun the home crowd.
City needed somebody to grab the game by the scruff of its collar, and Patrick Vieira rolled back the years to do just that, sparking memories of his Arsenal days as he started and ended a move that ended with the Frenchman beating Paul Robinson.
Tottenham's injury woes continued at the Hawthorns as Luka Modric departed on crutches following a 1-1 draw with West Brom. The result leaves Spurs level with City on five points after four matches.
Tottenham's football was superb in the opening exchanges at the Hawthorns, with Modric ramming home their advantage on 27 minutes. However, the Croatian then left on crutches and Chris Brunt grabbed a point for the Baggies.
In the battle of the new boys, Newcastle suffered a huge setback at St James' Park, losing 2-0 to Blackpool. Alan Smith was the guilty party for the home side in the first half, fouling Luke Varney inside the box, and Charlie Adam sent Steve Harper the wrong way from the penalty spot. DJ Campbell then grabbed a clincher at the death, although Blackpool's hero was goalkeeper Matthew Gilks after a string of fine saves.
Fulham grabbed a late winner to beat Wolves 2-1 at Craven Cottage. Mark Hughes had plenty to feel disgruntled about following the opening 45 minutes in West London, after Simon Davies was denied what appeared to be a blatant penalty. Wolves rubbed salt in the wound by immediately scoring at the other end, with Jelle Van Damme finding the net after great work by Kevin Doyle.
More bad news followed for Fulham as Bobby Zamora required oxygen and a stretcher following a coming together with Karl Henry, a challenge that appeared to do serious damage to Zamora's ankle. Without their star striker, Fulham needed to rely on new signing Moussa Dembele, who responded four minutes after the break to even the scores before adding the winner in injury time.
Nothing could separate Wigan and Sunderland at the DW Stadium, but the Black Cats can be satisfied with a 1-1 draw after playing 68 minutes with ten men. Lee Cattermole will no doubt feel the full wrath of boss Steve Bruce after he earned his second red card of the season on 22 minutes. Cattermole saw red on the opening day against Birmingham, and he clearly did not learn his lesson as another dismissal for two bookable offences ended his afternoon. In the space of four minutes Cattermole fouled Mohamed Diame and then Hugo Rodallega, giving the referee no choice but to reach for his cards.
Bruce's response was to throw on club record signing Asamoah Gyan as a lone striker, and he delivered the goods on debut, sweeping home an opening goal with 20 minutes remaining. However, Antolin Alcaraz forced home a messy equaliser to grab a point for the Latics.
PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND-UPChelsea yakandamiza ilhali United wakitota
Everton ikifanikiwa kupata mabao mawili katika dakika za mwisho mwisho wa mchezo wamefanikiwa kuzima ndoto za united za kuzoa points zote tatu katika mchezo ambao everton walikuwa nyumbani Goodson Park na kupata sare ya mabao 3-3 mchezo ambao Manchester United hawakuweza kumtumia mshambuliaji wao Wayne Rooney kufuatia kukumbwa na mataizo ya kifamilia.
Rooney hakuweza hata kusafiri kuelekea Goodison Park kufuatia manager wake Sir Alex Ferguson akitimiza jumla ya michezo 700 katika ligi kuu ya uingereza “Premier League” akionekana kumlinda kabisa mshambuliaji huyomwenye umri wa miaka 24 kutokana na kashfa za mashabiki wake.
Hali ilionekana kukiathiri kikosi mapema hasa baada ya ya kujikuta wakiwa nyuma kwa bao la Steven Pienaar lakini hata hivyo Darren Fletcher, Nemanja Vidic na Dimitar Berbatov wakafanikiwa kurejesha matumaini ya kikosi cha furguson kuibuka na ushindi na kuzoa points zote tatu kabla ya Tim Cahill na Mikel Arteta kuzima ndoto hizo.
Katika mchezo mwingine Chelsea wametumia faida ya United kutereza na wao kuikandamiza West Ham wakipata bao la utangulizi katika dakika ya pili ya mchezo katika ushindi wao wa mabao 3-1. Matokeo hayo yanamainisha kuwa kikosi cha Carlo Ancelotti bado hakija poteza hata point moja tangu kuanza kwa msimu huu .
Michael Essien ndiye aliyeanza kuiandikia Blues bao safi katika dakika ya pili ya mchezo kwa kichwa baada ya kona safi ya Didier Drogba ambaye pia alikuwa msaada katika bao la pili la Chelsea
Drogba akipiga shuti la free-kick la umbali wa 35 ambalo liliguswa na Rob Green kabla ya Matthew Upson kushindwa kuokoa na baadaye Salomon Kalou akaushindikiza nyavuni.
Bao la tatu liliwekwa ndani ya kimia na Jon Obi Mikel likiwa ni bao lake la pili huku bao la kujifariji la West harm likifungwa na Scott Parker .
Arsenal imeendelea kuwa “unbeaten” mpaka sasa baada ya kuichapa Bolton wenderous iliyokuwa na wachezaji kumi jumla ya mabao Bolton 4-1katika mchezo uliopigwa huko .Bolton walisalia kumi baada ya Gary Cahill kutolewa dimbani katika kipindi cha pili lakini kikosi cha meneja wa Arsene Wenger walionekana kung’ara kwa kucheza kandanda safi lililotakata.
Nyota mpya Laurent Koscielny aliiandiikia converted Arsenal's first-half pressure into a goal, stabbing home at the second attempt. However, the Gunners' defence still appears to boast the same holes as least season, and Johan Elmander took advantage on the stroke of half time, levelling from close range after Lee Chung-Yong's centre.
The Gunners did not have to wait long to restore their lead, thanks to the brilliance of Cesc Fabregas. Dancing his way towards the byline, the Spaniard cut the ball across for Marouane Chamakh to apply the finishing touch, and Bolton's task then became even tougher when referee Stuart Attwell controversially handed Cahill a straight red card for a challenge on Chamakh.
Alex Song's delightful chip made the points safe with 12 minutes left, before Carlos Vela applied the icing to the cake when putting the finishing touch to a wonderful 24-pass move.
Manchester City dropped yet more points under Roberto Mancini as Blackburn left Eastlands with a 1-1 draw. Mancini's men had already taken just four points from a possible nine this season, and now it is five from 12 after a bad error by Joe Hart.
City had much the better of the first half at Eastlands but, not for the first time this week, Hart produced a dodgy moment to hand Blackburn the half-time advantage. Hart and Kolo Toure dithered and hesitated as the ball lurked towards the City penalty area, and Nikola Kalinic capitalised to stun the home crowd.
City needed somebody to grab the game by the scruff of its collar, and Patrick Vieira rolled back the years to do just that, sparking memories of his Arsenal days as he started and ended a move that ended with the Frenchman beating Paul Robinson.
Tottenham's injury woes continued at the Hawthorns as Luka Modric departed on crutches following a 1-1 draw with West Brom. The result leaves Spurs level with City on five points after four matches.
Tottenham's football was superb in the opening exchanges at the Hawthorns, with Modric ramming home their advantage on 27 minutes. However, the Croatian then left on crutches and Chris Brunt grabbed a point for the Baggies.
In the battle of the new boys, Newcastle suffered a huge setback at St James' Park, losing 2-0 to Blackpool. Alan Smith was the guilty party for the home side in the first half, fouling Luke Varney inside the box, and Charlie Adam sent Steve Harper the wrong way from the penalty spot. DJ Campbell then grabbed a clincher at the death, although Blackpool's hero was goalkeeper Matthew Gilks after a string of fine saves.
Fulham grabbed a late winner to beat Wolves 2-1 at Craven Cottage. Mark Hughes had plenty to feel disgruntled about following the opening 45 minutes in West London, after Simon Davies was denied what appeared to be a blatant penalty. Wolves rubbed salt in the wound by immediately scoring at the other end, with Jelle Van Damme finding the net after great work by Kevin Doyle.
More bad news followed for Fulham as Bobby Zamora required oxygen and a stretcher following a coming together with Karl Henry, a challenge that appeared to do serious damage to Zamora's ankle. Without their star striker, Fulham needed to rely on new signing Moussa Dembele, who responded four minutes after the break to even the scores before adding the winner in injury time.
Nothing could separate Wigan and Sunderland at the DW Stadium, but the Black Cats can be satisfied with a 1-1 draw after playing 68 minutes with ten men. Lee Cattermole will no doubt feel the full wrath of boss Steve Bruce after he earned his second red card of the season on 22 minutes. Cattermole saw red on the opening day against Birmingham, and he clearly did not learn his lesson as another dismissal for two bookable offences ended his afternoon. In the space of four minutes Cattermole fouled Mohamed Diame and then Hugo Rodallega, giving the referee no choice but to reach for his cards.
Bruce's response was to throw on club record signing Asamoah Gyan as a lone striker, and he delivered the goods on debut, sweeping home an opening goal with 20 minutes remaining. However, Antolin Alcaraz forced home a messy equaliser to grab a point for the Latics.
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