TENNIS in DEPTH.

Defending champion Serena Williams believes Kim Clijsters will have nothing to lose when the two former world number ones meet in Friday’s US Open semi-final at Flushing Meadows.

Second seed Williams is in pursuit of a 12th grand slam of her career and a fourth US Open title and Clijsters has won only once in their eight meetings, the last of which came in 2003, but she has since been a world number one, picked up a US Open title of her own in 2005, retired and had a baby.

“She’s a really good player. She plays tough. She plays hard,” Serena Williams said of Clijsters. “Now it’s like a totally different level, because she has absolutely nothing to lose. I think that’s when you can play your ultimate best tennis.”

Serena was impressed by Clijsters’ level of play as she beat sister Venus Williams in three sets.

She added: “I just saw how well she moved. Seems like she’s even faster than what she was before.

“I was thinking that maybe I should have a baby and then I’ll come back faster. That was my observation, so I’m thinking about it.

“I thought she was moving really well. I thought she’s moving just as good as she was before she left. I don’t know

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