Tennis: Second seed Kim Clijsters is looking forward to a US Open semi-final against Venus Williams but she will have to improve on an error-strewn display in the last eight against Sam Stosur.
Clijsters was sorely out of form for much of her 6-4 5-7 6-3 win over fifth seed Stosur on Arthur Ashe court, but found just enough composure to emerge victorious for the 19th time in a row at Flushing Meadows.
There were 15 breaks of serve in a match littered with errors from both players but as the game reached its climax, the Belgian finally found some form to hold off her Australian opponent, who should have cashed in on Clijsters' sluggish opening.
"It's been really tough to get used to the weather conditions here, every match has just been a battle and you have to try and beat it," Clijsters said. "I tried to be a little more aggressive in the final set but my serve wasn't going as well as I'd like it to. I ended up winning though and that's all that matters.
"Venus is a great competitor and she's playing some great tennis. She's American too and that will be a fun match to play.
"I've had some great matches against Venus and Serena, it'll be a great challenge and I'm excited to be in another semi."
Clijsters started particularly poorly but came from a break behind to sneak the first set. She could not repeat the trick in the second as Stosur showed some real resilience but following six consecutive breaks of serve in the decider, Clijsters finally got her game in order, stringing together three consecutive games to take a 6-3 triumph.
Third seed Williams had it slightly better, but her 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 win over Francesca Schiavone didn't come easy. There were two breaks apiece in the first set, leading to a thrilling tie-break that saw French Open champion Schiavone at her most vocal as she berated herself for the missed opportunities that allowed Williams to go ahead.
Two-time champion Williams looked she might make life easier in the second set when she broke Schiavone in the fourth game then served out the next to go 4-1 ahead, but Schiavone, backed into a corner, came out fighting and took the next two games.
It had looked as though she had missed her chance to break back when she failed to convert a pair of chances at the net with the score at 30-40, but she held her nerve to put the pressure back on Williams.
In a match characterised by strong return games and loose serving Williams immediately added another break of her own meaning at 5-3 she had the chance to serve for a a place in the last four.
What followed was a tame attempt which culminated in a big double fault.
Williams admitted she was unsure what effect the strong wind conditions would have on the match.
"When I walked out there, I couldn't even warm up my serve because the wind was blowing my toss," she said. "I thought 'Oh, my god, what are we in for today?' I'm a strong player and I hit hard, but I felt like I had nothing.
"So it was challenging. I don't think either of us were able to play our exact normal game because it was just hard to make a choice in the wind.
"I think you end up playing a little safer, more toward the center of the court."
Reflecting on her exit, Schiavone was a picture of frustration. Despite being winless against Williams in seven meetings, she felt she missed an opportunity tonight.
"Yes, I'm disappointed, because I had the chance and the quality to beat her," said the Italian. "I think I lost this match a little bit more than she won it.
"She doesn't like to play with me - I play different balls, I push her in defence, I don't give her the chance to play how she wants.
"This time is for her, but I will find the way to beat her."