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Message Boards The 1998 US Open "All Venus - too much power, strength, and speed for anyone to handle. " -- JJH Speak out on the Tennis Message Boards!

'I am deeply saddened'

Venus Williams all dressed up with nowhere to go

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Posted: Friday September 11, 1998 07:05 PM

Venus Williams had twice as many errors (26) as winners (13), failing to return to the finals of the U.S. Open AP

NEW YORK (AP) -- Venus Williams brought seven dresses to the U.S. Open, one for each round on the road to the finals.

She only made it to No. 6, losing 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals Friday to Lindsay Davenport.

"I'm deeply saddened I didn't have an opportunity to wear my seventh dress," Williams said. "It was red, white and blue. Of course matching hair and nails.

"I'm definitely going to put that one in a coffin and bury it."

Williams, who reached the finals in her first appearance at the Open a year ago, thought she could have made it back against Davenport.

"I had all types of opportunities," she said. "It was a matter of capitalizing on them. She did a better job of that. She was more consistent and ready to win.

"I was a little off balance, unable to take the opportunities. They were there. I didn't take them. I said `No, thank you.' I pushed them away."

Davenport broke Williams twice in the first three games of the match but Williams came right back to win the next three games.

But Davenport recovered, and twice as many errors (26) as winners (13) doomed Williams.

"She played very well," Williams said. "She had some bad areas that she was able to come through. I wasn't.

"She probably has been practicing, using her power to the best advantage. She's one of the most powerful players on the tour. But I've been practicing, too. In the end, I should be able to play ball. If I'm not ready, I should stay home. I wasn't on top of my game. I definitely know I can play better."

Williams, just 18 and in her second full year on the pro tour, was critical of her performance.

"I really have to work harder on being better," she said. "I think I'm pretty solid. I just have to become a better player, make better decisions. I need to concentrate on each match. I played OK but I have to keep on improving. That's all you can do.

"I don't blame it on lack of experience," she said. "If you give somebody a racket, be ready to use it. I didn't use mine very well today."

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