September 3rd, 2008 New York City, USA
On this day would be one of the most anticipated women's Quarter-Final matches of recent memory at the US Open. Venus and Serena Williams would face off against each other during the night session. It would be their 18th match against each other and their 11th meeting at a Grand Slam. But first during the day session, Dinara Safina would take on Flavia Pennetta, a surprise final eight participant.
Safina controlled most of the match with her heavy ground strokes and dominating form that she has had as of late. Safina quickly won the first set, 6-2. By this time, Pennetta was looking flushed and frustrated. Her first US Open Quarter-Final was not going her way. It continued on this course as Safina continued her aggression and went on to win the second set, 6-3. The Russian now moves on to only her second Grand Slam Semi-Final and first at the US Open. With title wins in Los Angeles and Montreal as well as a Silver medal in Beijing, Safina is looking to continue with her amazing summer.
What went wrong with Venus Williams? That is the question everyone is probably asking themselves today. With ten set points in hand and eight break points, it wasn't Venus Williams who was moving on at the US Open, but younger sister Serena. Venus was definitely the more aggressive player all night, forcing Serena back and always threatening her serve by staying inside the baseline. Serena to her credit stayed with Venus, using her controlled aggression to make less errors and ultimately cause Venus to be the one spraying balls. Serena barely edged out the first set, 7-6(6). In the second set, Venus continued to play better, but Serena played smarter and ultimately it came down to Serena's grit and Venus choking the match away. Serena won the second set, 7-6(7). Serena now goes on to face Dinara Safina in the Semi-Finals. Williams lost to Safina earlier this year in the spring in Berlin. Serena will be trying to look for revenge.
Results:
Arthur Ashe Stadium:
(6)Dinara Safina d. (16)Flavia Pennetta - 6-2, 6-3
(4)Serena Williams d. (7)Venus Williams - 7-6(6), 7-6(7)
Top 10 Seeds:
1. Ana Ivanovic - Lost in Round 2 (Coin)
2. Jelena Jankovic - Semi-Finals
3. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Lost in Round 3 (Srebotnik)
4. Serena Williams - Semi-Finals
5. Elena Dementieva - Semi-Finals
6. Dinara Safina - Semi-Finals
7. Venus Williams - Lost in Quarter-Finals (S. Williams)
8. Vera Zvonareva - Lost in Round 2 (Perebiynis)
9. Agnieszka Radwanska - Lost in Round of 16 (V. Williams)
10. Anna Chakvetadze - Lost in Round 1 (Makarova)
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