Williams, Seles Win, to Play in Tennis Semis
S Y D N E Y, Australia, Sept. 24 -- Facing the last player to beat her,Venus Williams extended her winning streak to 30 matches today byedging Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario to reach the semifinals at theOlympics.
Williams lost her first five service games, double-faulted 13times and still won, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.
The second-seeded Williams advanced to an all-American semiMonday against third-seeded Monica Seles, who beat Dominique VanRoost of Belgium 6-0, 6-2.
Williams lost to Sanchez-Vicario at the French Open, then beganher winning streak, which includes titles at Wimbledon and the U.S.Open.
“You always expect her to play tough, especially now that it’sthe Olympics,” Williams said. “I haven’t played anyone who hasn’tgiven 200 percent, so today I had to give 300.”
Serving Troubles Keep Match Close
Windy conditions made serving difficult for both players, butWilliams had more trouble early, double-faulting three times onbreak point in the opening set.
She served better after that and became more consistent with hergroundstrokes, running Sanchez-Vicario off the court and closingout points at the net.
“She tests you as far as your patience and even sometimes onthe confidence of your shots, because she gets so many ballsback,” Williams said. “It’s not that you’re necessarily doingsomething wrong; it’s just that she’s doing some good things. Soyou just have to keep doing your best when you play against her.”
A swinging volley put Williams ahead 1-0 in the third set — herfirst lead of the match. That prompted the first chant of “USA!USA!” Sanchez-Vicario had her own problems serving,double-faulting on break point to fall behind 4-1 in each of thelast two sets.
Corretja, Tillstrom Lose
The points got wilder down the stretch. As Sanchez-Vicarioserved at 2-4 in the final set, the racket flew out of her hand onthe follow-through and landed 15 feet away. The Spaniard watchedhelplessly as Williams hit a return for an uncontested winner.
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