Henin, Venus Take Center Stage at US Open Tennis; Kuznetsova in the Hunt

(4) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) vs. (6) Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) - Kuznetsova leads, 2-0

Friday's first match on Arthur Ashe will be an all-Russian affair as the 2004 US Open champion, Kuznetsova, takes on the in-form semifinal debutante, Chakvetadze. The contest is the pair's third meeting on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour and Chakvetadze will be desperate to record her first victory over her compatriot and reach her maiden Grand Slam final in the process. The 20-year-old Muscovite has enjoyed a tremendous season to date, capturing four titles - including Cincinnati and Stanford during the summer hardcourt swing - and firmly establishing herself in the world's Top 10. She is yet to drop a set at Flushing Meadows this fortnight and was particularly impressive during her, 64 61, triumph over the tenacious Shahar Peer in the quarterfinals.

However, if Chakvetadze is to continue this dream run in New York she will first have to overcome one of 2007's most consistent players, Kuznetsova. After four runner-up finishes this season the world No.4 finally got her hands on some silverware at New Haven in the week leading up to the US Open and judging by her straight-set dismissals of teenage stars, Victoria Azarenka and Agnes Szavay, in the past two rounds she has transferred this form into the year's final Slam. With both players in such a rich vein of form there is little to choose between them and if they reproduce their quarterfinal performances then it has the potential to be a classic.

"It's going to be an extremely tough match," Kuznetsova said of playing Chakvetadze, "she's extremely confident because of her tournament wins on the hardcourts. I think the difference will be in terms of experience as I've been in the semifinals before whereas it's her first time. Although she's playing great and will be able to play relaxed tennis as the pressure going to be on me."

"The last time I played her I lost really easily," Chakvetadze said of her semifinal clash with Kuznetsova, "on the clay in Warsaw last year. So I feel she will come in as favorite, but at the same time I've nothing to lose and no pressure which hopefully will allow me to play my own game and I will just go out there and try my best."

(1) Justine Henin (BEL) vs. (12) Venus Williams (USA) - Williams leads, 7-1

On Friday afternoon world No.1 Henin will attempt to become only the second player in history to defeat both Williams sisters in a Grand Slam, when she takes on Venus for a place in the 2007 US Open final. The 25-year-old Belgian will be looking to emulate Martina Hingis' feat at the 2001 Australian Open, in what will be the ninth encounter of a rivalry she trails 7-1. However, the pair have not met since the semifinals of the 2003 Australian Open and in the four and a half years which have passed since the American's straight set victory at Melbourne Park, Henin has won six majors - including this year's Roland Garros crown and the 2003 US Open - on her way to establishing herself as the dominant force in the women's game. By reaching the final four at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Henin will be appearing in her 19th consecutive Sony Ericsson WTA Tour semifinal and here she will be aiming for her 49th victory of the season.

Williams has a record second to none at Flushing Meadows and her thrilling, 46 61 76(4), win over Jankovic in Wednesday's quarterfinals saw her record her 47th victory at the event and reach the semifinals for the seventh time. After struggling with injuries and inconsistency for the first six months of 2007 the 27-year-old American's season finally burst into life at the All England Club, where she stormed through the draw to capture her sixth career Grand Slam title. While the world No.14 has played just one tournament in the period between Wimbledon and the US Open - a quarterfinal finish in San Diego - she has been in sparkling form this fortnight and with her US Open pedigree few would discount her from repeating her title runs of 2000 and 2001 this weekend.

"It will be a good challenge for me to play both sisters in the same tournament," Henin said of her back-to-back matches with the Williams', "and Venus has a different style so it will be challenging, but every match is a final for me now. There are a lot of expectations, but I just take one match at a time. It's great to be in the semis again and hopefully the best player will come out on top."

"I think she's definitely improved since last time we met," Venus said of Henin, "she's improved her game which you have to do on Tour. You can't be stagnant, but I've seen her play quite a lot and I feel like I know what to expect and I'm ready for it." (WTA)