(CNN) -- Kim Clijsters willl face Vera Zvonareva in the women's final at the U.S. Open after the Belgian defending champion rallied from a set down to beat Venus Williams.
Williams, seeded third, started strongly at New York's Flushing Meadows, conceding just five points to Clijsters on her own serve in the first set.
But No. 2 seed Clijsters gradually asserted her dominance to claim her fifth straight hardcourt win over the American, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4.
"It obviously means a lot to be in the final and to give myself a chance to defend my title from last year. It's a great opportunity," Clijsters said.
"But obviously beating Venus here last year and this year, it's a good feeling. I think today was probably one of the best matches that I've played throughout the tournament".
Zvonareva, seeded seventh, reached her second successive grand slam final after stunning top seed Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets.
The Russian, who reached the final at Wimbledon only to lose to Serena Williams, repeated that feat at Flushing Meadows, winning 6-4, 6-3 in an impressive display.
CNN
