The first two semifinalists for the women’s singles event in this year’s US Open were known of Tuesday as both cruised in their quarterfinal matches in straight sets.
2005 US Open champion Kim Clijsters continued her win streak in New York when she defeated 18th seed Li Na of China 6-2, 6-4. Her last appearance in this hardcourt tournament was four years ago when she won the title. This means that she on a 12-match win streak.
In order to secure a berth in the finals, the returning Belgian tennis star must beat defending champion Serena Williams, who easily defeated 10th seed Flavia Pennetta of Italy 6-4, 6-3 on Tuesday night. Williams is currently 23-1 in Grand Slam singles matches this year.
Williams has won three of the past four major championships. She is seeking her fourth U.S. Open title and 12th Grand Slam overall.
With her older sister Venus sitting in the stands, Williams piled up a 21-9 edge in winners against Pennetta, who was trying to be the first Italian woman to reach a Grand Slam semifinal.
Clijsters, the 2005 U.S. Open champion, beat No. 18 Li Na in straight sets earlier Tuesday.
NEW YORK (AP)—Kim Clijsters has kept her comeback on track, moving into the semifinals of the U.S. Open with a two-set victory over China’s Li Na.
Clijsters is unseeded and making her first appearance at the Open since she won it in 2005. She defeated her 18th-seeded opponent 6-2, 6-4 on Tuesday.
The Belgian is returning to tennis after taking two years off, during which she had a baby girl. She entered Flushing Meadows unranked because she hadn’t played enough matches in her comeback. She will rise to at least the low 50s on the strength of this run.
She added the Li victory to earlier wins over No. 3 Venus Williams and No. 14 Marion Bartoli.
