Kims comeback tale gets sweeter

It was late in the third phase of the deeply compartmentalised match between Venus Williams and Kim Clijsters...

It was late in the third phase of the deeply compartmentalised match between Venus Williams and Kim Clijsters,and the largely American crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium had unmistakably chosen its favourite.

In a reflection of the power of new motherhood and the lure of an excellent comeback tale,the choice would not be Williams,the dignified seven-time Grand Slam singles champion from the United States. Instead the biggest roars of approval down the stretch would be reserved for the powerfully built Belgian on the other side of the net.

Thank you guys so much for helping me, Clijsters told the crowd,when she had provided the latest and strongest evidence that she is back for real by beating Williams by the mood-swinging score of 6-0 0-6 6-4 in the fourth round.

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Clijsters was already a fan favourite before she retired in May 2007,weary of the grind,the multiple injuries and the sometimes cut-throat nature of her workplace and eager to start a family and delve into the quotidian delights of what she once called normal life.

But since her return to the circuit last month at age 26 with her husband,Brian Lynch,and one-year-old daughter,Jada,in tow,a different kind of compact has been established with her public.

With Clijsters in only her third tournament since her comeback,these are early days to draw conclusions about what place Clijsters will occupy in the game going forward. But the early evidence in her favor is compelling. Clijsters will now face Li Na of China in the quarterfinals. Look,Kims a top 10 player already,even if the ranking doesnt show it, said David Witt,Venus Williamss longtime hitting partner. What happened today was not any surprise to anyone whos already seen her play this season.

Soderling in last eight

French Open finalist Robin Soderling advanced to the quarter-finals of the US Open for the first time after his opponent,Nikolay Davydenko,retired with a leg injury. Soderling,seeded No. 12,was ahead 7-5 3-6 6-2 on Monday when the eighth-seeded Russian called off the match. Kateryna Bondarenko reached her first Grand Slam singles quarter-final,annihilating Argentinas Gisela Dulko 6-0 6-0 in the fourth round.

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Late on Sunday,Murray,the Open runner-up in 2008,needed only 90 minutes to extinguish American Taylor Dent 6-3 6-2 6-2.

Results: Mens singles: 12-Robin Soderling bt 8-Nikolay Davydenko 7-5 3-6 6-2 ret; 11-Fernando Gonzalez bt 17-Tomas Berdych; 7-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga bt Julien Benneteau 7-6 (4),6-2,6-4; 6-Juan Martin del Potro bt Daniel Koellerer 6-1,3-6,6-3,6-3; 13-Gael Monfils bt Jose Acasuso 6-3,6-4,1-0 ret. Womens singles: 18-Li Na bt 26-Francesca Schiavone 6-2 6-3; 10-Flavia Pennetta bt 7-Vera Zvonareva 3-6 7-6 (6) 6-0