Williams ends Schiavone's hopes in New York
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}By Simon Cambers
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former champion Venus Williams ended the run of French Open champion Francesca Schiavone at the U.S. Open when she beat the flamboyant Italian 7-6 6-4 in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old American, seeded third and champion at Flushing Meadows in 2000 and 2001, had a little too much power for the seventh seed, battling through in one hour 54 minutes to reach the last four for the eighth time.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Both players struggled in the gusty winds that swirled around Flushing Meadows, but Williams said she felt she had deserved her victory.
"I feel like when the stakes were higher I was able to raise my game," Williams said. "She did, too, she played some great points. She's just so feisty that you have to kind of keep her at bay. I was glad I was able to do that."
Both players struggled for consistency in the wind but Schiavone came from 4-0 down in the tiebreak to make it 4-4 before Williams closed it out 7-5.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The American, wearing a sparkling pink dress, then stormed to a 4-1 lead in the second set but the resilient Schiavone managed to break back and get on serve again at 4-3.
The Italian enjoyed plenty of success by feeding short slices to Williams, who made 33 unforced errors.
Williams broke again to lead 5-3 but once more, the Italian broke back, only for Williams to break yet again to clinch her eighth victory in their eight meetings.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I like seeing my name next to her name, I'm good with that." said Williams.
"I know when I play her I'm going to have to play good tennis, but I really do enjoy our matchups, obviously because I usually come out on top."
In the semi-finals, the American faces either defending champion Kim Clijsters or Australian fifth seed Sam Stosur.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(Editing by Frank Pingue)