TNT Sports
Serena ready for Henin
By
Published 05/06/2003 at 12:50 GMT+1
The women's last four at the French Open looks oddly unfamiliar this year with the absence of Venus Williams, who had reached the semi-final stage in six of the previous seven grand slams. For more than a year Venus was the only player who looked capable
Eurosport
Image credit: TNT Sports
But Venus has seemed tired in recent months, losing second place in the world rankings to Belgian Kim Clijsters before bidding an unexpectedly early farewell in the fourth round here.
After those four final defeats Venus has passed the baton to Clijsters and fourth seed Justine Henin-Hardenne, who Serena will meet in the semi-finals on Thursday.
The time has come for the Belgian pair to try to challenge Serena, in turn, and at last make it all the way to lifting a first grand slam title for their country.
Nadia Petrova of Russia, ranked 76th in the world, has reached her first grand slam semi-final and will be the clear underdog against Clijsters in the first match on centre court, where play starts at 1200 GMT on Thursday.
If logic is respected, Serena should prepare for clashes against both Belgians on her way to a second successive Roland Garros title.
REVENGE
If Serena beats Henin-Hardenne it will be sweet revenge after she lost to the Belgian in Charleston last month.
"Serena, obviously, will say she did not play well when I beat her in Charleston, but I didn't play too well either," said Henin-Hardenne. "We can talk a lot about this semi-final, but the answer will be on court."
A modest Williams said reaching the semi-finals of a grand slam event could not be considered "routine".
"I just feel that I have to play well again and stay focused throughout because she (Henin-Hardenne) is playing very well here."
A final between Serena and Clijsters, a losing finalist in Paris two years ago, would be simply be a clash between the best two players in the world.
But Petrova, who beat Monica Seles and Jennifer Capriati on her way to the last four, made it clear she was determined to live up to the occasion.
"I've already beaten Jennifer, who has a similar style," she said.
Clijsters spent a lot of time talking about Serena in the news conference that followed her win over former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez in the quarter-finals.
But Clijsters knows she must not underestimate Petrova as she bids to reach the second grand slam final of her career.
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement