NEW YORK: When the Grand Slams roll around, the best stories often revolve around the prospect of Williams vs. Williams, Maria Sharapova, maybe even a possible breakthrough by No 1 Dinara Safina.

All those options have vanished from the US Open, replaced in large part by the potential of Kim Clijsters, the former No 1 who now brings her baby to work.

Clijsters defeated No 3 Venus Williams on Sunday, 6-0, 0-6, 6-4, leaving Venus' sister, Serena, as the only top-five player left in a draw that was turned upside down in Week 1 by upsets, comeback stories and the youth movement.