U.S. Open: Clijsters, Dementieva, Stosur advance

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A brief rain delay interrupted the U.S. Open Friday matches for about 20 minutes but fourth-seeded Andy Murray is back on Arthur Ashe Stadium Court, up 3-2 over Jamaica’s Dustin Brown, who has become a bit of a folk hero because he’s chosen to travel to challenger matches in a van.

Before the rain, defending women’s champion Kim Clijsters over came an early 3-0 deficit and beat 27th-seeded Petra Kvitova who was a surprise Wimbledon semifinalist last month, 6-3, 6-0. Elena Dementieva, the 12th seed, who has struggled with injuries this summer, won the battle of hard-hitting baseliners and eliminated 24th-seeded Daniela Hantuchova. Fifth-seeded Australian Samantha Stosur had little trouble with Italian Sara Errani, winning 6-2, 6-3.

Stosur, one of the few women willing to ocassionally serve and volley, is happy with her form. ‘I think I’ve played two really good matches now. I couldn’t ask for much more.’

Dementieva will get Stosur next. ‘We haven’t played in a long time,’ the 28-year-old Dementieva said. Dementieva has never won a major tournament but that isn’t a burden she said. ‘I have had a very successful career so far. I definitely am looking for the big title, but I’m still just working on my game.

‘This is the most important because there’s always something to improve. There’s always something to work on and then if it comes, it comes.’

The weather forecast suggests play will continue for awhile with another set of showers about 6 p.m. Venus Williams and Rafael Nadal are on the night schedule.

-- Diane Pucin