Please stop saying that Justine Henin will have to beat both Williams’ to get to the final. I watched the match between Justine Henin and Serena Williams and that was said more than once. Please look at the five matches Venus has played against Jelena Jankovic. The only time Venus played Jankovic on hard courts was in 2005 when Jankovic was still an up and coming player and Venus won 6-3, 6-3. Since, the last four matches have gone three sets and Jelena won the last three. While two of those three wins were on clay (both were this year and one being at the French Open), Jelena did beat Venus on the grass at Wimbledon.
The word on Jankovic is that she can beat anyone not named Justine Henin. Venus played one event this summer in San Diego and lost in the quarters while Jelena played very well reaching the finals in Toronto.
Jankovic is by far the more consistent player, does exceptionally well in big matches and is solidly the number three player in the world. More importantly, if she loses the first or second set, she is willing to go the distance for the win. Venus on the other hand, hasn’t been tested, hasn’t played much and will most likely booking a flight home by 9 pm tonight. So to the commentators at the USA network (and that means all of you), I know you’re American, on an American network commentating on the American players at the American Grand Slam but please, don’t be so ignorant.