Originally published September 3, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified September 3, 2007 at 2:05 AM
U.S. Open Tennis | Williams sisters reach quarterfinals
Serena and Venus Williams wrapped up the first week of the U.S. Open exactly as they began it: with one sister following the other into...
FLUSHING, N.Y. — Serena and Venus Williams wrapped up the first week of the U.S. Open exactly as they began it: with one sister following the other into Arthur Ashe Stadium and each walking off in triumph, having overwhelmed her opponent.
Eighth-seeded Serena took center stage first on a splendid Sunday and stormed past Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli of France 6-3, 6-4. Bartoli, seeded 10th, had neither the pace nor the power to handle Serena's mighty serve.
"When it's coming 125 [mph] at me, I cannot even see the ball," Bartoli said.
A few hours later, 12th-seeded Venus faced a more formidable challenger, fifth-seeded Ana Ivanovic.
Venus had easily beaten the hard-hitting Serbian teen en route to her fourth Wimbledon title this summer.
Sunday's meeting, their second in a Grand Slam event, promised to be more compelling. Ivanovic was brilliant through her first three rounds, never losing more than three games in a set.
But Venus made Ivanovic look nearly as sluggish as Bartoli, blasting serves past her and dictating the tempo with blistering ground strokes to win 6-4, 6-2.
The victories moved the sisters one step closer to a much-anticipated semifinal meeting Friday.
"That would be awesome," Venus said, "because it would mean that there's a Williams in the final. It would mean an American has a chance to win."
First they must get past the quarterfinal round, where Serena plays top-ranked Justine Henin of Belgium and Venus takes on No. 3 Jelena Jankovic of Serbia.
Henin beat Serena in the quarterfinals at the French Open and Wimbledon this year.
"I'm going in feeling like I don't have anything to lose," Serena said. "I just feel different now."
For four consecutive years, a Williams won the U.S. Open. Serena, 25, claimed the title in 1999 and 2002; Venus, 27, won in 2000 and 2001.
In men's play, second-seeded Rafael Nadal of Spain defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France 7-6 (7-3), 6-2, 6-1 to advance to the fourth round. No. 3 Novak Djokovic of Serbia beat Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina 6-1, 6-3, 6-4.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
Crystal and Mount Baker to open this week
UPDATE - 10:55 PM
Briefs | Baseball: Yankees' Hideki Matsui files for free agency
Fishing | Where they're biting, where they're not
NEW - 09:45 PM
NW Briefs: NW briefs | Washington women's soccer gets bid to NCAA tournament
Sideline Chatter: Have you seen "There's Something About Manny?"

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Bill Clinton meets with Senate Dems on health care
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Washington coordinator Nick Holt says his Huskies defense is improving
- Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
258 - House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
246 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
171 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
143 - Alleged shooter tied to mosque of 9/11 hijackers
135 - Obama puts heat on Senate to speed health bill
123 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
119 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
99 - Cutaia says replay handled properly on Austin TD
69 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
69
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- Taste | Ruth Reichl still reigns as queen of America's culinary scene
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Book review | Ayn Rand: goddess of the market, gateway to the American right





