That felt like a final, says Serena after beating Venus

Published on Thursday 4 September 2008 09:44

SERENA WILLIAMS admitted her straight-sets quarter-final victory over sister Venus at the US Open on Wednesday felt every bit as tense as a final.

The 26-year-old trailed 5-3 in both sets and faced set points on both occasions but battled back to come through 7-6 (8/6), 7-6, (9/7) and secure a place in the semi-finals for the first time in six years.

Serena triumphed at Flushing Meadows in 1999 and 2002 and if she repeats that success this year she will become the world No.1 for the first time since a 57-week reign from 2002-03.

"It definitely felt like a final of the US Open," Serena said. "I can't believe I won. It was so hard. It is difficult mostly because she's such a great player. She was serving balls 125, 127 miles an hour. I just tried to stay with her.

"I try not to look at her (Venus] because if I look at her, then I start feeling sorry," Serena added. "I want the best for her. I love her so much. She's my best friend."

The Williams sisters were the only former US Open champions remaining in the field and, with 15 Grand Slam titles between them, there's no doubt they were the most experienced players left.

Next up for Serena is Dinara Safina, who continued to make her case for the world No.1 ranking as she reached the semi-finals of the event for the first time.

The sixth-seeded Russian made short work of 16th-seeded Flavia Pennetta downing the Italian 6-2, 6-3 in 71 minutes.

The other last-four clash sees No.2 seed Jelena Jankovic and fifth seed Elena Dementieva face off tomorrow. Jankovic will have to lose that match for Safina to have a chance of securing the No.1 ranking.