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Venus Williams of the U.S. returns a backhand to Anna Chakvetadze of Russia during their quarter-final match at the Acura Classic tennis tournament in Carlsbad, California August 3, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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BEIJING, Sept. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Venus Williams took
her tennis seriously Wednesday night at the U.S. Open. After dropping the first
set 4-6 to No. 3-seeded Jelena Jankovic, the elder Williams roared back to take
the second set 6-1, then battled to a 7-6 (4) win in the third set to advance to
the U.S. Open women's semifinals.
Next on Williams' agenda is No. 1-ranked Justine Henin, slayer of sister Serena in the quarterfinals of the last three majors. Williams watched Henin thump her sister Tuesday and is seeking vengeance.
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Venus Williams of the U.S. serves to Daniela Hantuchova of Slovenia during the third round of the Acura Classic tennis tournament in Carlsbad, California August 2, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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"I wasn't happy with that result at all. I was sad
that she lost. I didn't like to see her so upset," Venus said. "I definitely
have to try to win for Williams."
The other semifinal has 2004 Open champion Svetlana
Kuznetsova against No. 6 Anna Chakvetadze in a matchup between Russians.
Jankovic made four bad mistakes to allow Williams to
take control in the decisive third-set tiebreaker.
"We had some long points, and I was the one making the errors. I maybe was a little bit excited," Jankovic said. "I thought that it will go in, but it didn't."
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Venus Williams of the U.S. returns a volley to Virginie Razzano of France during their second round tennis match at the Acura Classic tournament in Carlsbad, California, August 1, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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Speaking to the spectators afterward, Jankovic said:
"First of all, I want to say, 'Well done,' to Venus. She deserved to win. She
was better at the end."
That was quite a different take on things from a
disappointed loser than Serena Williams offered after her straight-set setback
against Henin, including a reference to the Belgian's "lucky shots."
(Agencies)
