NEW YORK -- Venus Williams didn't just play a brilliant match to draw one step closer to reclaiming a US Open title she last won 17 years ago. She played a courageous match that will be burned in the memory of anyone who witnessed it.
Petra Kvitova, Williams' quarterfinal opponent, had won their past three matches -- two of them decided by excruciating tiebreakers. At the end of three sets Tuesday night, two-and-a-half hours after they started in Arthur Ashe Stadium, the women girded to play another one. It was gut-check time.
The outcome of this third-set tiebreaker would determine whether Williams would continue on her quest for her first major title in nine years. After two agonizing near-misses this year, in Australia and at Wimbledon, she is two wins from leaving her name on another bronze plaque.
"Tiebreakers, you have to play smart, but you have to be aggressive," Williams said afterward. "You can't just sit back and hope. I didn't want to hope. I wanted to be doing something about my future."
Williams secured that future, for at least another 24 hours, by winning the tiebreaker and match 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (2). The dream lives on. Next up: Sloane Stephens in Thursday's semifinal.
Williams has been waxing sentimental this week about how much she loves the game and how lucky she feels to still be playing at such a high level at 37. She has been speaking the language of a tennis ambassador, icon and role model. But there's a warrior lurking, with a steely will and a militant heart underneath those sentiments.
Make no mistake: She isn't here merely to enjoy the moment -- or make another Grand Slam semifinal. That isn't the Williams way.
There's no doubt that Venus misses Serena as much as she says at these major events. It's a lonely sport, and the Williams are a very close family. But it also appears obvious that Venus has been liberated in a way she can't really be when Serena is taking up so much of the oxygen.
Venus isn't a different person when Serena isn't here. She is just more like every other tennis player in the draw -- an independent, lone operator, trying to fulfill a personal dream. She will try to win for the Williams family, sure. But it's her name -- not those of her siblings or parents -- that will go on that plaque and in the history books.
The moderator in the US Open interview room has taken to introducing Venus with the warning that she won't be answering questions about her private life (meaning Serena and baby talk) and reporters better not go asking them. It seems a harsh discipline, but maybe it's the best thing for Venus.
The stricture is about the Williams family's right to privacy. But intentionally or not, it's also about Venus' right to be taken as a unique individual, appreciated and respected for her accomplishments rather than her associations. Based on how Venus has played this year, especially in light of her age and her struggle with Sjogren's syndrome, she deserves a spotlight of her own.
It's easier said than done. In the key ninth game of the third set Tuesday, Venus became embroiled in a struggle. At deuce, she tagged an ace. Her next serve was called "out," but before she served the second ball, a fan shattered the stillness by calling out, "Do it for Serena's baby."
Nobody laughed. A few fans cast angry glances. On the next point, Venus hit a double fault.
But it all worked out in the end. Venus was more animated and verbose than usual in her news conference. She said the quality of her past matches with Kvitova was "even higher" and explained that often in those matches, she just felt "unlucky" as Kvitova reeled off show-stopping winners.
"I never really did anything wrong in those matches," Venus said. "I was happy to have a little more luck today, actually."