Zvonareva downs Wozniacki for berth in U.S. Open Final

Seventh seed Vera Zvonareva from Russia pulled a huge upset by defeating No. 1 seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.

With the win, Vera has reached her second successive Grand Slam final, the last at Wimbledon where she lost to Serena Williams.

While everyone has been keeping an eye on Caroline, Vera has been doing just as well, having yet to lose a set in the tournament. Caroline also had not dropped a set in reaching the semi-finals and had only lost 17 games in total, but was immediately in trouble in this match, having to save two break points in the opening game of the match.

Zvonareva vs. Wozniacki in semifinal

No. 7 seed Vera Zvonareva will face No. 1 seed, Caroline Wozniacki in one of the semifinals of the 2010 U.S. Open.

This is Zvonareva’s first time in the semifinals, having never made it past the 4th round in seven tries, while Wozniacki was a finalist here last year on her third try.

Zvonareva defeated 31st seed, Kaia Kanepi 6-3, 7-5 to reach the semifinal. Wozniacki continued her winning form downing Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 7-5. Wozniacki hasn’t dropped a set nor played a tie-break in her first five matches, allowing just three games in her first three matches. Zvonareva has struggled a little more, surviving two tie-breaks in her matches.

Kim Clijsters vs. Venus Williams in semifinal

No. 2 seed and defending champion Kim Clijsters will face No. 3 seed Venus Williams in one semifinal at the 2010 U.S. Open.

Both Clijsters and Williams have two U.S. Open titles to their name. Clijsters has won the last two times she played here, in 2005 and then again after coming out of retirement last year in 2009. Williams won in 2000 and 2001, but has struggled in the past years here.

However, Clijsters was really out of form for much of her 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 win over fifth seed Samantha Stosur in the last round on Arthur Ashe court, but found just enough composure to emerge victorious for the 19th time in a row at Flushing Meadows.

Wickmayer over Schnyder for berth in 4th round

No. 15 seed Yanina Wickmayer and unseeded No. 53 ranked Patty Schnyder dueled it out right to the end, with Wickmayer coming out on top 7-6(7-5), 3-6, 7-6(8-6) at the 2010 U.S. Open today.

Belgian slugger Wickmayer inched closer to a second semifinal appearance at Flushing Meadows with this narrow win over Swiss veteran Schnyder. Schnyder, at 31 the oldest in the women’s draw, gained match point at 6-5 in the 3rd set tie-break. But Wickmayer saved that match point, and won the next point to go up 7-6. Schnyder then committed an untimely double fault to end the match. Schnyder had six double-faults, while Wickmayer had seven. Schnyder’s last one just came at a really bad time.

Ivanovic defeats Razzano setting up meeting with Clijsters

Ana Ivanovic, supporting a rebuilt game, came through with flying colors Saturday against No. 79 ranked Virginie Razzano, winning in straight sets 7-5, 6-0.

Next up for unseeded Ivanovic in a Labor Day match is No. 2 seed, Kim Clijsters.

Ivanovic last played Clijsters at the start of August in the semi-finals in Cincinnati but Ivanovic was forced to retire with a foot injury just three games into the match.

Sharapova blows Capra away

No. 14 seed Maria Sharapova blew 18-year-old Beatrice Capra away today with a 6-0, 6-0 thumping.

What Sharapova’s excellent play didn’t blow away, the blustery conditions caused by the remnant of Hurricane Earl did. Capra was not able to duplicate the level she played at in her earlier wins over No. 95 Karolina Sprem and 18th-seeded Aravane Rezai.

Jankovic ousted by Kanepi

No. 4 seed, Jelena Jankovic once again lost her bid to win her first Grand Slam when she was defeated by No. 31 seed, Kaia Kanepi in round 3 at the 2010 U.S. Open.

Although Hurricane Earl didn’t bring much rain to the New York area, the remnants of the storm brought wind gusts of up to 33 mph that were playing havoc with the players — starting with Jankovic, who lost 6-2, 7-6 (1) to Kanepi.

Venus Williams reaches 4th round with easy win over Minella

Venus Williams of the USA cruised easily through her 3rd round match against Mandy Minella on Friday at the 2010 U.S. Open. It was the 12th time in 12 trips that Venus reached the 4th round at Flushing Meadows.

The No. 3 seeded Williams easily eliminated the 185th-ranked qualifier of Luxembourg 6-2, 6-1. She won 18 of 21 points at the net and finished with a 29-5 edge in winners. She will, however, have a more serious test in the fourth round against 16th-seeded Shahar Peer, who beat 19th-seeded Flavia Pennetta, 6-4, 6-4 in round 3.

Stosur and Dementieva advance to meet in 4th round

No. 5 seed, Samantha Stosur and No. 12 seed, Elena Dementieva both advanced with straight-sets wins and will meet in the 4th round of the 2010 U.S. Open.

Stosur of Australia breezed through quite easily over No. 37 ranked Sara Errani of Italy 6-2, 6-3. Stosur came close to losing her 1st round match against Elena Vesnina, 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-1, but won easily in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Afterwards, Stosur said: “Really happy with that win. Since my first round I think I’ve played two really good matches now. Couldn’t ask for much more… to come through and have two matches the way I have, I’m really pleased.”

Clijsters advances to 3rd round over Peers

The defending champion, Kim Clijsters, continues her quest for a 3rd U.S. Open title after defeating Sally Peers 6-2, 6-1 in round 2 of the 2010 U.S. Open.

Clijsters of Belgium made 15 unforced errors in the first set before steadying herself to take the win over the No. 201 ranked Peers of Australia in 56 minutes. The 19-year-old Peers had to come through qualifying to gain entry to her first Grand Slam tournament.