Third seed Venus Williams and Kim Clijsters renew a rivalry of former champions when they meet in one of the most eagerly anticipated showdowns at the US Open on Sunday. Clijsters, returning to competition after taking a two-year break to start a family, acquitted herself surprisingly well in two summer warm-up tournaments for the Open and in three wins at Flushing Meadows.
"But I haven't played the big ones yet," the 26-year-old Belgian wild card said earlier in the championship. "Hopefully I'll give myself a shot at doing that here." The 2005 champion gets that shot against Williams, the 2000 and 2001 winner, at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
They last met four years ago and their relationship goes back almost a decade yet there will be no room for nostalgia as they battle for a berth in the quarter-finals. Williams leads the series 6-4, although Clijsters won their last two meetings. Champion Serena Williams, the second seed, precedes her older sister on centre court when she opens the day seven programme against 22nd seed Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia.