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US Open: Mauresmo in way of Clijsters` first US Open semis
New York, Sep 01: If world number one Kim Clijsters is going to reach her first US open semi-final, she is going to have to overcome the woman who ousted her here last year - France`s Amelie Mauresmo.
New York, Sep 01: If world number one Kim Clijsters is going to reach her first US open semi-final, she is going to have to overcome the woman who ousted her here last year - France's Amelie Mauresmo.
Belgium's Clijsters defeated 21st-ranked American Meghann Shaughnessy 6-2 6-4 while fifth seed Mauresmo ousted Thailand's Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-2 6-2 to book a quarter-final showdown at the year's final grand slam event.
Mauresmo beat Clijsters 4-6 6-3 7-5 in last year's US Open fourth round and has split four matches with Clijsters, not counting a Mauresmo injury retirement in 2001.
"I feel better this year than I did last year," Clijsters said. "But I really feel against Amelie everything has to be at your best. She can be real aggressive and with the slice and spin ball. She can really make it hard for you and make you adjust all the time.
"I can't worry if I'm not playing well. I have to stay mentally strong and stay motivated out there."
The 20-year-old girlfriend of Australian former men's number one Lleyton Hewitt made her best US Open run getting to the 2001 quarter-finals and she has reached the semis in 14 of 15 2003 events entering the Mauresmo match.
"We've played each other a lot already. We know each other's game pretty well," Mauresmo said. "She has some weapons to disturb me and I have a few to disturb her also."
Clijsters has 71 triumphs in 2003, the most by a woman at this stage of the season since Chris Evert in 1974. She was won a tour-best six titles this year. But to stop being the only women's number one without a slam title, Mauresmo must go.
Bureau Report
Belgium's Clijsters defeated 21st-ranked American Meghann Shaughnessy 6-2 6-4 while fifth seed Mauresmo ousted Thailand's Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-2 6-2 to book a quarter-final showdown at the year's final grand slam event.
Mauresmo beat Clijsters 4-6 6-3 7-5 in last year's US Open fourth round and has split four matches with Clijsters, not counting a Mauresmo injury retirement in 2001.
"I feel better this year than I did last year," Clijsters said. "But I really feel against Amelie everything has to be at your best. She can be real aggressive and with the slice and spin ball. She can really make it hard for you and make you adjust all the time.
"I can't worry if I'm not playing well. I have to stay mentally strong and stay motivated out there."
The 20-year-old girlfriend of Australian former men's number one Lleyton Hewitt made her best US Open run getting to the 2001 quarter-finals and she has reached the semis in 14 of 15 2003 events entering the Mauresmo match.
"We've played each other a lot already. We know each other's game pretty well," Mauresmo said. "She has some weapons to disturb me and I have a few to disturb her also."
Clijsters has 71 triumphs in 2003, the most by a woman at this stage of the season since Chris Evert in 1974. She was won a tour-best six titles this year. But to stop being the only women's number one without a slam title, Mauresmo must go.
Bureau Report