Seasoned Venus in better shape to handle the occasion

Day 11
Eurosport 1, from midnight Thursday

V Williams v Stephens
Venus Williams has contested two Grand Slam finals this year and can advance to a third by defeating compatriot Sloane Stephens at the US Open.

The players are meeting for only the second time and Stephens triumphed in their first clash, winning 7-6 6-1 at the French Open in 2015.

However, the younger player is contesting only the second Grand Slam semi-final of her career and may not handle the occasion as well as Williams, who is through to the last four at Flushing Meadows for the ninth time.

The most recent of Williams' two US Open triumphs came way back in 2001, when Stephens was eight years old.

But the 37-year-old is playing as consistently as she has done for many years and is guaranteed a post-tournament jump into the top five of the WTA rankings for the first time since 2008.

Williams showed all of her experience to come through a tough quarter-final against Petra Kvitova 6-3 3-6 7-6 and is now the only former Grand Slam champion left in the draw.

She came on strong at the end of the match with Kvitova, winning the tie-breaker 7-2, and her fitness appears t be as good as anyone on the tour.

Stephens demonstrated her powers of mental and physical strength to come through her last-eight clash with Anastasija Sevastova 6-3 3-6 7-6.

However, she has reached this stage without having to play any of the tournament's top ten seeds and is likely to be up against a much stronger Williams than the player she faced at Roland Garros just over two years ago.

Recommendation
V Williams
2pts 4-6 general

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