Venus rising at U.S. Open!

THREE TIMES A LADY? This might be the year that Venus Williams is able to, at last, win that elusive third US Open singles crown.

The 30-year-old star advanced to the semifinals Tuesday night with a straight sets victory over reigning French Open champion Francesca Schiavone. Venus made her debut at this tournament in 1997 at the age of 17. She had strings of white beads in her hair and managed to make it all the way to the final!

But her sister Serena Williams would be the first member of the family to take home the trophy when she won in 1999. But the next year, Venus won the tournament and repeated again in 2001, this time over Serena in the final. She would lose to Serena in the final in 2002 and, believe it or not, that’s the last time she made it to the title round!

Not that Venus was an under-achiever: she has won five Wimbledon singles crowns in the past decade, three Olympic gold medals (one in singles, two in doubles), won the year-end tour championships in 2008, and has teamed with Serena to win 12 grand slam doubles titles including two at the US Open and four at Wimbledon.

But what is really cool about Venus – besides the cool tennis outfits she designs herself – is that she has grown into a gracious champion and wonderful spokeswoman for her sport.

She would be a very deserving US Open champion this year.

Two more matches to go!