Capriati, Chair Umpire Team Up to Beat Serena

In the most controversial match of the event thus far, No. 8 seed Jennifer Capriati outlasted No. 3 seed Serena Williams, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, to advance to the US Open semifinals in Flushing, New York.

Several calls in the pivotal third set went Capriati's way, but on-screen "Hawkeye" after-the-fact line-calling technology showing the calls should not have gone in Capriati's favor, including four during the last game of the match.

"I'm never one to argue on the court, never, that's not who I am," said Serena, brushing back tears, mentioning a "conspiracy theory" against her and sister Venus from a similar situation at Wimbledon.

"I'm very angry and bitter right now," said Serena, at this point laughing in her post-match conference to hold back the tears. "I feel very cheated. I just feel robbed. I'm out of the tournament right now. I guess the lady (chair umpire) didn't want me to be in the tournament anymore."

Interviewed on court after the match, Capriati had no qualms with the outcome.

"She's had her fair share of line calls," Capriati said in an on-court interview to some boos, describing a ball down the line that was well-in but overruled by the chair umpire. "I didn't even, like, look at it. It was close. I was just going to what the umpire said."

For Serena, the loss marks her earliest departure in Flushing Meadows since falling in the quarterfinals in 1999.

Though disappointed by the loss, Williams - who has been battling a knee injury that kept her away from the Athens Olympic Games - wasn't totally discouraged by the way she played.

"It's been a tough road, but I'm comforted by the fact that I probably shouldn't have been here anyway and I've made a great effort," Williams said. "And I'm comforted by the fact that I didn't have enough time as I would have generally liked to do better and to prepare for this event."

Capriati has now won three of the last four against Serena, improving her overall record to 7-10 against the fellow former No.1.

Capriati advanced to face Elena Dementieva, who advanced to the final four after stunning No.2 seed Amelie Mauresmo, 46 64 76(1) in the early match on Tuesday.