Blind confidence drives Serena Williams

Aug 27, 2006, 2:42 GMT

New York - Despite playing a mere dozen matches this season, the blind confidence of Serena Williams has only grown more bold.

The 1999 and 2002 champion, whose ranking now hovers just inside the 100 mark, is competing in the final Grand Slam of the season after some wild-card charity dispensed by American tennis officials.

The American, whose talk easily turns from her fading tennis to her fashion and makeup product lines, insists that she's top-fit for the test on cement.

The former number 1 had a six-month tennis void, blaming a knee injury for her inactivity from an Australian Open third-round defeat to July's lowly Tier IV WTA tournament, where she made a return to reach a semi-final.

A semi three weeks ago in Los Angeles against somewhat higher- ranked opposition has convinced Williams that she's back on form with a 9-3 record.

'It's not a concern,' she said. 'It would have obviously been awesome if I would have played more, but I had time to relax and get better and work on some things that could be really helpful to me.'

Williams is carrying family honour on her own, after frequently injured sister Venus withdrew with elbow problems that have plagued her for several years.

'I've had two solid tournaments. I was able to get some solid results under my belt,' said the woman who lifted the last of her seven Grand Slam titles in January 2005 in Australia.

'I'm really looking forward to this two weeks. I'm hitting well. As long as I stay healthy, I'll be fine.'