US Open - Imposing Williams returns to US final

Eurosport - Sat, 06 Sep 21:05:00 2008

Serena Williams returned to the US Open final for the first time in six years by sweeping away sixth-seeded Dinara Safina of Russia 6-3 6-2 in a windblown contest.

TENNIS 2008 US Open Serena Williams - 0

The fourth-seeded American, who last played the Flushing Meadows title match in 2002 when she won her second U.S. crown, will meet second seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia with the world number one ranking also going to the winner.

Jankovic defeated Olympic champion Elena Dementieva of Russia 6-4 6-4 to advance to her first grand slam final.

"It's so awesome," Williams, who hopped up and down with joy after her service winner clinched victory, said courtside.

"I'm just happy to be finally back in the finals," added the eight-times grand slam winner, whose 2002 title match against sister Venus marked the last time the women's final here featured an American.

"For once, an American back in the finals here so I'm really excited."

Williams dealt best with blustery winds that blew groundstrokes wide and long, and played havoc with serve tosses that sometimes strayed too far to hit and ended up bouncing towards the net.

Russian Safina broke the 26-year-old Williams in the opening game of the match but soon became frustrated with the gusting winds arriving ahead of an expected storm front.

Safina, who was initially successful in pounding her powerful forehand, gave the break back in the fourth game and was broken again in the eighth game on four errors to trail 5-3.

The Russian, who had been red-hot with six trips to the finals in her last seven events including three wins, shrieked after mis-hits flew off her racket and at one point yelled, "I hate this wind!" She logged 41 unforced errors in the match.

Williams saved two breakpoints serving for the set in the next game and clinched it when Safina drove a forehand dead into the ground at the base of the net.

The second set started with three service breaks with the American emerging 2-1 ahead.

In the third game, Williams showed some of the fire she displayed in her quarter-final victory over sister Venus, drilling a forehand into Safina's chest from close range after racing in to hit a short ball.

Williams eased back after that, satisfied to keep balls in play and wait for Safina to make mistakes in the difficult conditions. She had just 21 unforced errors in the match.

"I thought, okay, if it's so windy then I'm not going to go for so many winners and stay out here and do what I can," explained Williams.

Safina lost serve again in the fifth game and Williams romped to victory on her first match point with a thundering serve up the middle that the Russian could not handle.

At the net, Williams apologised to Safina, saying she meant no harm on the drive that struck the Russian and the two walked off amicably.

Williams said she looked forward to a spirited title match against Jankovic.

"I think she's playing really well and she's just having so much fun," Williams said. "She has nothing to lose and neither do I."

Safina said she let herself down by acting like a "spoilt girl".

"I think I was behaving like a really spoilt girl today," Safina said.

"I have to learn from these things if I want to get better. If I want to make one step in front, I have to learn to handle my emotions better."

Safina, runner-up at both the French Open and Olympics, said the windy conditions had contributed to her bad body language.

"I think today I was feeling physically better than previous days but it's too bad behaviour from my side.

"Maybe I was 80 percent physically and mentally but I spent 60 of it being negative on the court, like shooting around and complaining about everything."

Safina said the way Williams coped with the conditions and the occasion was something she would like to replicate in future.

"I could see she was having some problems at first and I was 2-0 up with a break but she behaved like a champion," she said.

"She also had some wind problems, but she was there and she was fighting with me, and I was fighting with everything around except her. This I can learn from her."

Reuters

Comment 15 - 34 of 94

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  1. JUST LOOK AT--- THE SNARLING BEAR PHOTO----- AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE -- TIME 4 A BAN

    From startoratora, on Sat 6 Sep 8:08AM

  2. AJDE JELENA! AJDE SRBIJA! It will of course be difficult for Jelena to beat such a brilliant player as Serena Williams but hopefully she can make it !!!

    From Jelena F, on Sat 6 Sep 8:04AM

  3. Congrats to Serena. I think she can even better if she can manage to reduce the size of her boobs.

    From Manohar H, on Sat 6 Sep 8:00AM

  4. AJDE JELENA! AJDE SRBIJA! It will of course be difficult for Jelena to beat such a brilliant player as Serena Williams but hopefully she can make it !!!

    From Jelena F, on Sat 6 Sep 7:59AM

  5. ±±±±±±±±±±± NO SPORT ANYMOMRE === JUST AGGRESSIVE FIGHTS FOR THE --- MONEY

    From startoratora, on Sat 6 Sep 7:52AM

  6. no possible doubts --------another fixed result ---- vis previous match--- clear the courts

    From startoratora, on Sat 6 Sep 7:49AM

  7. 22 -46 --- snarling abusive - serena should be banned
    deplorable screams snarling ugly abuse at opponent thru entire match

    From startoratora, on Sat 6 Sep 7:43AM

  8. SUCH AN --- UGLY--MECHANICAL BATTERING RAM IN THE FINAL
    ------------- ITS NO LONGER TENNIS --- JUST PURE WAR -- LIKE IRAQ
    --- NO SKILL INVOLVED--- JUST RAW TASTELESS POWER
    -- ONE 2B AVOIDED HERE --- STORMS AHEAD

    From startoratora, on Sat 6 Sep 7:35AM

  9. clearly we saw another -- FIXED RESULT --- ++ cheating
    Dear Dinara Safina was totally tired exhausted

    serena had extra weeks rest when venis allowed her to win unapposed
    earlier to give her advantage ------- not tired out ----- should be disqualified

    From startoratora, on Sat 6 Sep 7:29AM

  10. Serena is the best player and the only one that the No 1 ranking suits....The rest of the players who find their self at no spot by mistake don't have what it takes, what i mean is that they are not consistent at winning, for example; Ivanovich and jankovich loosing matches easily at No 1 spot. When serena and venus were No 1 player they were there for a long time until their sister then their manager was killed, that killed their spirit and out of tournament for sometime, the winning siprit was gone but since last year she has gained it back that's what she shows at the US open...... Serena is the best believe, Hater even know she's the best all they can do is lie.

    From gloriaanuga, on Sat 6 Sep 7:29AM

  11. I LOVE LADIES TENNIS BECAUSE OF MARTINA HINGIS, THE WILLIAM SISTERS OVERPOWERED HER. THEN I FELL IN LOVE WITH SERENA, HER SIMINGLY UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS OF 2002 WILL NEVER ESCAPE MY MEMORIES. THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT HER I DON'T UNDERSTAND: I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I LOVE HER SO MUCH BOTH ON AND OFF THE GAME. WHEN SHE LOOSES TO ANYONE I ALMOST HATE THE PERSON.
    SERENA, PLEASE GO FOR THE GLORY, I WANT TO SEE YOU IN THAT BLISTERING FORM AGAIN

    From peace s, on Sat 6 Sep 6:15AM

  12. Well, Serena and her sister are the big guns in the women tennis. I love watching them each time they are playing. They know how to motivate their fans and they never loss hope even at match point against them. I made 200,000euros on the match between Serena and Dinera Safina. Safina is good but she is never a match to either Serena or Venus. Continue on the highest level William sister. I love both of you. Even if everything is forgotten, the William sisters will never be forgotten because they are the central point in the WTA.
    I AM A BULGARIAN.

    From jonmakc, on Sat 6 Sep 5:51AM

  13. Go Serena. Youy are such a beautiful girl. It is great watching you. Jelena ia also nice to look at but you are the queen. All the best. Pity you were in the same half of the draw as Venus or it might have been another Williams vs Williams

    From Balvin, on Sat 6 Sep 5:32AM

  14. Jelena and Serena could provide a good trial of strength, tennis-wise, provided the latter is some how curbed from ventilating her war cry noises, from the bottom of her belly, with each shot. The decibel level is unbearable even while watching her matches on TV and imagine the plight of her opponents in close proximity whose focus might get disturbed. Only a few like her sister Venus, Maria Sharapova and slender squeaky Dementieva might match her on this count!

    From Emmveeyem, on Sat 6 Sep 3:48AM

  15. Serena is the one! love her or hate her but she sure brings some thing to the game doesn't she? so much tension, emotion and everything when she is on court! Viva the Williams sisters!

    From tewsa, on Sat 6 Sep 2:31AM

  16. She is a great player!
    Ever saw a girl sorta like her on ****AffluentMeet com**** It's where wealthy singles looking for younger unattached people to enjoy their wealthy lifestyle with.

    From bellywin963, on Sat 6 Sep 12:58AM

  17. this is good for sport and especially tenis.. Serena is a great player.. happy for her she will win the open and will regain the #1 spot.
    love florida.

    From emethpat@..., on Sat 6 Sep 12:56AM

  18. really entertaining... all those safina funs (and williams's haters) are gone. did not even check out the comments to put some negative votes... i guess the next thing for them is to be so sure that jankovic will win serena and start talkin how beautiful is her game to watch and how cute she is (lol)... @#$% off... williams and especially serena are dominant now and when they are like that can not be competed... especially on home ground.

    From iordanis_papoulias, on Sat 6 Sep 12:49AM

  19. Serena will probably win - she looks very good this tournament and very consistent which has not always been the case in the past - she is also looking quite fit and not waddling around the court like a big fat hippo which she has on past occasions.

    From miguel b, on Sat 6 Sep 12:48AM

  20. Tell me about style and grace,Jelena is endowed and a good preffessional but she is not in Serena's class in either or both.The Williams sisters are light years ahead of all the crop of players on the scene now,not even the over rated Sharapova or Anna.
    Watching the Williams gives you the adrenalin surge needed in competitive game.
    Talk of achievements inspite of prejudice,intolerance,resistance,illogical critisism and obvious envy from people who find it difficult to appreciate anyone different from them in look or style,these princess have exceled.Take it or leave it the Williams are blessed and can't be overlooked or forgotten in the history of women tennis.Go ahead Serena darling!!!!!

    From Asunleogo, on Sat 6 Sep 12:46AM
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