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Kim Clijsters
Dangerous form: Kim Clijsters knocked out 14th seed Marion Bartoli, of France, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2

Venus Williams and Kim Clijsters stay on track to clash

Chris Jones
3 Sep 2009


Former champions Kim Clijsters and Venus Williams stayed on course for a last-16 showdown at Flushing Meadows after both coming through their US Open second-round ties.

Third seed Williams, the 2000 and 2001 champion, overcame a troublesome left knee to book her place in the third round with a battling straight-sets win over fellow American Bethanie Mattek-Sands.

Belgium's Clijsters (left), playing for the first time in New York since winning the women's singles title in 2005 having retired to start a family, continued to show she is a dangerous wild-card entry as she knocked out 14th seed Marion Bartoli, of France, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2.

Williams had needed three sets to get past first-round opponent Vera Dushevina, of Russia, as she struggled for form and was restricted by tendinitis in her knee. She had a more comfortable time yesterday on the Arthur Ashe Stadium, playing with a well-strapped left knee as she saw off the world No124, 6-4, 6-2 in 91 minutes.

Williams said: "I love playing this event and I'm going to do my best to win every round. It's September now and I started in December so I guess it's not a surprise that at this time of year things start to get a little sore."

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