At the start of tonight’s match, it looked as if Jelena Jankovic was ready to hand Venus Williams a demoralizing straight sets loss.
However, Venus Williams had barely gotten warmed up.
After losing the first set 6-4, Venus Williams stormed back to capture the match in three sets 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4).
Venus started sluggish, but after losing the first set, she responded by kicking her game into high gear. Her impressive form, her will to fight, and her lethal shots led her to her first semifinal at the US Open since 2002.
Compared to last night’s firestorm, tonight was a breath of fresh air. As Jankovic coyly told the crowd, she wasn’t sure what other player would still talk to the crowd after a loss. She handled herself with poise and grace, and with a bright future in 2008 ahead of her, she has reason to hold her head high.
Venus Williams’ win guarantees her a ranking back inside the top ten, and sets up a blockbuster semifinal showdown with world number one Justine Henin.
When are we going to get over not realizing that these athletes are REAL PEOPLE. They have feelings just like anyone else. It’s ok to show that you’re ****** off. WE ARE ALL HUMAN, God gave us all emotions and so what if Serena got ****** off. Who showed any more attitude than Agassi in his day and so what, we still watched him play because we couldn’t wait to see his reactions when he’d become ****** off. Woo, Woo, Woo! Give me a break. Somebody hit the press over the head – get real with these athletes. Ever heard of Reality TV? Rather her let it all out than to keep it all bottled inside and when she cracks we’d all be wondering why, what made her crack up? We’ll still be watching Serena, match, after match, after match! Do your thang Serena! The game is still on – Wait until you see VENUS!!! Do your thang William sisters!
It should have been 4-6 6-1, 6-1 Jankovic got away with a lot of sitting duck serves and Venus errors. At least now Venus hurdled this obstacle. Now its time to BANG out Justine!
Fantastic match! Serena would do well to take lessons from Jankovic, classy and gracefull in defeat (so was Nadal last night). I wish I could root for the Williams sisters, but they are poor sports.
It’s so disappointing that Venus didn’t lose. I hope Justine will take her out in straight sets in the semis
Great win tonight by Venus. Regal and Repectful as always was Venus.
CJ, Serena had a bad night last night. Yes she is human and yes it was an emotional loss. But if she can dish out the rudeness, I’m sure she can take it from the press. Hopefully Serena will learn to compose herself in the future.
Aaeress, I read a qoute from today in an article!
Serena should take lessions from her sister but to know avail her dad more than likely walked out before she was even done you know where she get hew tude from thats for sure
Give me a break Dallas Tennis Fan. Certainly Venus, if not always Serena is always a great sport and over the years has matured into a class act on and off the court. And, for the record, Justine certainly knows a thing or two about bad sportsmanship.
The bottom line is that in 2007 Justine Henin is a better tennis player than Serena Williams, and that includes … nobody can argue otherwise.
About Venus vs Justine: they haven’t played in many years, since 2003 at the aussie open to be precise, so, it’s not the same rivalry story this year, hard to put a label on it whoever wins…
I will also say kudos to Jelena. She was not only full of pose and grace in defeat, but also during the match. She was always smiling, as though she was really glad to be there. Even when she made good points and when Venus did, she showed poise. I remember when the Williams sisters like tennis. They used to smile. Now they see it as a job and want to get it over quickly. I love to see Venus smile. I think she has more fun than Serena on the field. And I am so glad that Venus won!!!! I waited to see how Venus would react at the press conference, but I didn’t see it, so I can’t comment. Now I wish A-Rod could pull an upset over the Dark Horse (Federer) just once, just once, just, once…….
We must understand that they are humans!!! Serena’s spilled emotions simply means she’s just being true to herself… I am sure that Venus gets the sweetest revenge!
Venus played brilliantly last night and was charming in her victory comments. It is a great shame that the sisters cannot be as gracious and charming in their comments when they lose. Jelena played her heart out, and could have made excuses over missed chances she had to win and sulk like Serena did, but she did not.
Venus and Serena are no longer teenagers who can behave badly and have it attributed to immaturity. They are grown women now, and should show some dignity, and respect their opponents.
John
It always great to hear true tennis fans wish that someone gets beaten in straight sets. NOT!Venus and Serena are two different people and if you are hoping that Venusloses in straight sets to Henin as a reaction to Serena’s actions the other night, then you are not a true tennis supporter. As anyone who watched Venus’ quarterfinal was estatic with pure joy of the sport. No matter who won, to see both women going for it to the end was spectacular!
Congrats to Venus Williams. The match with Justine Henin will be something if they are both on their game tomorrow. I think Williams will win though, unless Henin refines her serve quickly. She had way too many double faults against Serena Williams
Venus looked great last night, but Henin will be more of a challenge.
It is a shame that Serena’s poutiness and bad attitude distracted slightly from Venus’ moment.
Serena seriously needs to grow up and learn to admit her mistakes. The only person at the interview that was rude was Serena.
IF VENUS GAME IS ON SHE WILL HAVE A SWEET VICTORY OVER JUSTINE. GOOD LUCK VENUS DO IT FOR SERENA AND YOUR FANS…
I laugh at all the people that under-estimate Justine. I predicted at the start of the US Open that Serena would go down to Justine, and Venus would have a real fight on her hands. The feeling expressed was that Venus would destroy Justine…….which I scoffed at. Anyone that’s been following the women’s game closely knows that Justine CAN be beaten, but no one can “destroy’ her. She is the best in the women’s game, and has been number one since last year. She dominates on clay, and is real force on any surface. It’s time people started acknowledging these truths.