Serena to face Clijsters in WTA Championships final
Steve Keating, Reuters, Los Angeles
Serena Williams rallied to beat fellow American Jennifer Capriati 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday to reach the final of the US$3 million WTA Championships, but the world number one will not be joined by her sister Venus.
Three times this season, at Wimbledon, the French and US Opens, Serena and Venus have clashed for titles.
But defending champion Serena stepped on to the Staples Center court knowing the prospects of another all-Williams showdown had disappeared after Venus retired from her semi-final with Belgian Kim Clijsters earlier in the day because of a leg injury.
"I wasn't thinking of playing her (Venus) tomorrow, I was just hoping she was doing well," said Serena, who can become the first woman to win $4 million in a single season with victory in Monday's final.
"She was really injured and I don't think she should have went out there at all. I was upset she went out.
"Before she went out she said, 'be ready', because she wasn't feeling so good."
Serena, who has lost just four matches this season, appeared to be ready to join her older sister at the exit door when third seed Capriati, hunting her first title since the Australian Open, surged into a 3-0 lead on the way to claiming the first set.
Playing in her first event since lifting her season-leading eighth title five weeks ago, Serena struggled to find her range, committing a massive 53 unforced errors.
But she found her shots when she needed them most, breaking Capriati to take the second set and level the match.
The largest crowd of the week at the Staples Center was then treated to a riveting third set, the two players stepping up their games as the pressure mounted.
Once again Capriati took the initiative, breaking Serena to go in front 2-1, pumping her fist as she sprinted to her chair for the changeover.
But Serena broke back to level the contest at 3-3 and again to close out the match.
It was the 11th meeting between the two rivals, Serena winning seven, including all five this season.
"It was just our intensity, our intensity levels were just so high for both of us," said Serena. "We battle each time we play, we bring out the best in each other.
"She had some amazing returns but my serve was able to come through in the end."
When Venus appeared on court with her left calf and ankle heavily strapped, it quickly became apparent the world number two was in distress and an all-Williams final in doubt as fifth seed Clijsters surged into a 5-0 lead.
During the changeover Venus limped to her chair calling for the trainer, and after a brief discussion stood up and walked over to Clijsters, telling the Belgian she could not continue.
It was only the second time in her career that the durable Venus had retired from a match due to injury.
"I twisted my ankle during my quarterfinals match with Monica (Seles) and I didn't really feel the effects until last night," said Venus. "I was sitting in bed thinking my leg is hurting."