NEW YORK, (Reuters) – The old foes face off in tomorrow’s semi-finals full of mutual respect and a sense of kindred spirit, but warm and fuzzy feelings will be left on the sidelines when Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters do battle.
Coming from opposite directions on their collision course, sparks can be expected to fly from their rackets when two of the game’s fiercest competitors renew a rivalry that began 10 years ago in Flushing Meadows.
Williams is aiming to retain her crown as Open champion and add a third slam of the year to her Australian and Wimbledon triumphs. Clijsters is coming back from a two-year break to prove she still belongs in the highest echelons of the sport.
The two have not clashed on court for more than six years.
Williams is the face of ferocity on the grand slam stage, and ultra-competitive Clijsters, the 2005 Open winner, knows she will have to deal with the American’s power and intensity.
“I think she’s always been able to step it up at the grand slams. I’ve seen her play here and she has that face where she’s like, ‘Okay, I’m here to do business’,” Clijsters said after beating China’s Li Na to set up the showdown.
Williams, yet to lose a set this fortnight, surprises herself with that ‘look’.
“I’m not aware of it but I see it after in photos,” the 27-year-old said. “I’m pretty horrified sometimes.
“I think, oh my god, who is that?”
The first time they met was at the 1999 U.S. Open, a third-round win for Williams en route to her first major triumph.
“I just remember no one really knew her, and she gave me a run for my money,” said Williams, a 17-year-old at the time and 20 months older than the Belgian.
“I knew her, because I had seen her in the locker room a lot and seen her play a lot. I just knew her face.”
Clijsters, back with 18-month-old daughter Jada in tow after a temporary retirement to begin a family, recalls that match.
“I remember playing against her 10 years ago. Whew!” said Clijsters, marvelling at the passage of time.
