Wild card Kim Clijsters completed her compelling comeback in convincing fashion with a purposeful display of power and finesse as she dominated Caroline Wozniacki at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday evening. 23,000 fans paid tribute to the inspirational play of the two upstart finalists who seemed to signal the arrival of a new era in the women’s game.

On a day when Serena Williams was fined $10,000 and severely chastised for her temperamental display in the semi-finals, the two women’s finalists put on a graceful performance. A decided underdog, Wozniacki emerged as a courageous and gracious ambassador of the game. She, Clijsters and other young stars may well lift the torch from the old guard.

Clijsters had too much game for the Danish counter puncher. Although not as sharp as in her semi-final match, Kim seemed the aggressor and had a better sense of how to shape winners. The native of Belgium committed 34 unforced errors but hit 36 outright winners.

Wozniacki had difficulty holding serve throughout the match. With no aces and 3 double faults, she does not have the velocity to keep bigger hitters off the baseline. Wozniacki’s first serve averaged 89 mph vs 100 mph by the winner.

Both women showed poise and exhibited remarkable on-court personality. The crowd was especially delighted not to hear the constant grunting and outbursts that have become part of the new-age women’s game. Rather, both players appeared to be enjoying themselves. Wozniacki looks to have an endorsement future ahead with a glamorous smile yet competitive personality. The Dane has won more tennis matches in 2009 than any other player on the tour.

Clijsters would probably not be playing had she not been invited to play an exhibition match at Wimbledon. Kim embraced the training with newfound enthusiasm and has managed to bring the joy of playing to center court. A former number one player and 2005 U.S. Open Champion, she should be ranked in the top 10. The 19 year old Wozniacki is currently ranked 9th and should be moving up, but is clearly not up to Clijsters level of play.

Clijsters won the tournament by knocking out both Williams sisters, Marion Bartoli and Na Li of China. This was an impressive run throughout the draw and the deserving champion should be in even better shape for 2010.

Today, Rafa Nadal and Fernando Gonzalez will pick up where they left off on Thursday night at 2:30 p.m. Nadal won the first set in a tiebreaker and the two are tied at 6-6 in the second. The match was postponed due to rain. Gonzalez is presenting a strong challenge to the third seed, who appears troubled by abdominal pain.

The winner will oppose Argentinean strong man Juan Martin Del Potro who survived a first set challenge from Marin Cilic before subduing the 16th seeded upstart. Displaying more athleticism and a high level of confidence, Del Potro looks like a favorite to reach the finals where he would meet either 4th seed Novak Djokovic or top seed Roger Federer. The Men’s semifinals are scheduled for Saturday with the final slated for Sunday afternoon.

Spectators are looking forward to today’s Women’s semifinals and especially the match between former number one Kim Clijsters and top seed Serena Williams. The winner will be a heavy favorite against the winner of the other semifinal, either relatively unknown Yanina Wickmayer or Dane Caroline Wozniacki.

Clijsters and Williams have been the best two participants in this year’s tournament. Williams has appeared virtually untouchable and with her strong serve and competitive temperament is favored to win another Grand Slam.

Clijsters possesses several surprising wins, including a fairly easy triumph over Venus Williams. The young mother seems surprised by her success but has the skills to battle the power-hitting Williams.

In the other semi-final, Melanie Oudin conqueror and another media sweetheart, Caroline Wozniacki, is heavily favored to oust the upstart Wickmayer. Flashing a brilliant smile, a spiffy wardrobe and consistent ground strokes, Wozniacki appears unflappable. Unfortunately she does not posses the serve or power needed to compete against either Clijsters or Williams in the Saturday finals.

When Elena Dementieva wins her first Grand Slam Championship at the 2009 US Open, the 11-year tour veteran will finally shake that “best player to have never won a major” label. In a sport that is beginning to look like a Russian talent show, Elena Dementieva is the best of the lot.

With more than $12 million in career earnings, the 5’11” 27-year old blonde beauty need not make excuses or offer an assortment of sob stories as some of her more pampered teammates have chosen to do. That is not Elena’s style. Elena Dementieva takes her graceful game to the court, puts out 100% every time and always walks away with her head held high. Elena Dementieva has nothing about which to be ashamed.

Tennis has been good for Elena and Elena has been good for tennis. The slender bombshell has won 449 professional singles matches. She has won 50 of those matches in 2009 while losing just 13 times. In the last five Grand Slam Tournaments, Elena has reached the semifinals four times.

Neither top seed laughingstock Dinara Safina, second seeded Serena Williams or third seeded Venus Williams can boast such a consistent Grand Slam record over the past two years. Elena has not always been in her best playing form, working her way through a series of nagging injuries. However, Elena finds ways to win.

At Wimbledon this year, Elena took her A game right to Serena Williams, offering the eventual champion all she could handle in a stirring three set match. The semifinal battle was far and away the most exciting match of the London tournament.

Dementieva showed a return to form in England. Her foot speed and groundstrokes were exquisite. What thrilled Elena’s fans most was her very competitive service game, long deemed her Achilles heel. With her newfound velocity has come an increased confidence and as Serena will attest, a confident Elena is a very dangerous contender.

Claiming her first Grand Slam title will not be easy. The Dementieva quarterfinal bracket is the most difficult in the Open. Likely pairings will include a second round tussle with American teen sensation Melanie Oudin, a quarterfinalist and surprise dominator of the 5th seeded Jankovic in London. Oudin’s serve is a problem but she can expect boisterous support from the U.S. crowds.

A likely third round matchup will be against 29th seed and another crowd favorite Maria Sharapova. Russia will have two of its most notable stars on the court for that battle. Maria has won two Grand Slams and the 2006 Open. Now, that is a third round match to remember! The tall, beautiful blondes will provide plenty of firepower in the best third round paring of the event.

The most likely 5th round match will feature yet another Russian top seed, Nadia Petrova. 2009 has been a good year for Petrova. With 439 career wins and no fear of anyone, Nadia can play with anyone.

In the quarters, Elena can look forward to a colossal pairing with still one more Russian, 6th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova. Svetlana’s 2009 resume shows 31 wins, 11 losses and 1 Grand Slam earned the hard way, in Paris. Kuznetsova will have her own challenges with the likes of Carla Navarro Suarez, Agnes Szavay, Sorana Cirstea and Caroline Wozniacki in her bracket, but it pales in comparison to Elena’s road.

After Elena disposes of Svetlana, the biggest Russian of them all, top seed Dinara Safina, might be waiting in the semis. Safina will not go quietly, but she will go. Safina’s only severe challenge might come from the unpredictable but always game Ana Ivanovic. Neither player is up to Dementieva’s form. Elena may actually draw a sigh or relief at the semi pairing because the way the deck is stacked, it will be an imposing journey past two major champions just to get there.

But, that is the way it is in professional tennis. And, it is the way a woman about to claim her first US. Open and her first Grand Slam should want it to be. All hail, Elena Dementieva, a player who just keeps getting better and better.