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Venus Williams - Source: Reuters -
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Venus Williams found her range to beat plucky Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova 6-2 7-5 on Saturday and set up a hotly anticipated fourth-round showdown at the US Open with comeback mum Kim Clijsters.
The American third seed once again stepped on to a floodlit Arthur Ashe Stadium with heavy strapping above and below her left knee but she had little trouble overpowering her 46th-ranked opponent in the opening set with her brutal groundstrokes.
Rybarikova, who had taken a pain-killing injection before the match for a left-toe injury, landed on her feet in the second set as she steamed ahead 3-1 but Venus soon cut her back to size with a series of spectacular volley winners.
A forehand error ended Rybarikova's night under the spotlight, leaving a beaming Williams to look forward to her clash with Clijsters, a match between two former US Open champions.
"I'm so excited. She's been playing so great. She was a great champion and she's still great," said Williams.
"It's great to have her back. It's a boost for tennis and it will be a great match."
