Williams set for Clijsters clash

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:46

Two-time champion Williams, seeded third at Flushing Meadows, beat the 20-year-old from Slovakia 6-2 7-5 in 87 minutes and now faces former world number one and 2005 winner Clijsters, who defeated fellow Belgian Kirsten Flipkens earlier in the night.

“She’s been playing really well, I’ve been playing really well also,” Williams said of her date with Clijsters, who is playing on a wild card having returned to tennis last month after two years in retirement.

“It’s great to see her back but I want to advance to the next round.”

Clijsters had reached the fourth round with a 6-0 6-2 demolition of Flipkens in 62 minutes next door at Louis Armstrong Stadium and of the match-up with Williams she said: “It’s going to be a good game for me.

“I’m already looking forward to it, it’s these kind of matches that make it very special.”

Earlier in the day, Venus’ sister, defending champion Serena, beat Spaniard Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-3 7-5.

Russian Vera Zvonareva progressed comfortably, knocking out compatriot Elena Vesnina, seeded 31, 6-2 6-4 and will next meet 10th seed Flavia Pennetta of Italy, who crushed Aleksandra Wozniak 6-1 6-1.

Eighth seed Victoria Azarenka, though, crashed out, Francesca Schiavone winning their third-round encounter 4-6 6-2 6-2.

Schiavone next plays 18th seed Na Li, a 6-4 6-2 winner over Maria Kirilenko.

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