This Date in U.S. Open History: September 8

Every morning during the U.S. Open, Richard Pagliaro will take a look back at a significant match that took place on that calendar day.

September 8, 2000: Venus Williams d. Martina Hingis, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5  (Semifinals)

The top-ranked Swiss used her shrewd court sense and complete catalogue of shots to reduce one of the world’s most powerful players to a retriever for some stretches.

Hingis, who threw a variety of tactics at Williams throughout the match, frequently stepped inside the court, boldly facing Venus’ barrage head on. Her tactic of taking the ball early put Hingis two points from the finish line, holding a 5-3, 30-15 lead on Williams’ serve in the deciding set.

Then Williams stood her ground. When Hingis tapped a tame overhead right back to her, Venus drilled a backhand pass that caused the crowd to erupt and ignited a comeback.

“She played better the last four games,” Hingis said. “I had my chance, even on her serve, being up 30-15. That overhead. It was a long rally. It was tough to play the overhead. I was kind of looking for the ball. I couldn't really see because I was kind of getting tired. I definitely had a chance to put away that point.”

It would prove to be her best opportunity of the match. Venus won four consecutive games to earn a hard-fought victory just moments after she teetered on the ledge of loss.

“I was down 5-3. It really just seemed like all of a sudden the match was over. That was pretty unbelievable,” Venus said. “I've got a pretty big heart these days. I really didn't want to lose. I felt this is my opportunity, I should take it, and that it wasn't over, even though it was 5-3. I felt like, ‘This is my opportunity, I deserve to be in the finals, and I just need to go ahead and get it done.’ "

The third-seeded Williams beat second-seeded Lindsay Davenport in the final to capture her first U.S. Open crown a year after sister Serena beat Hingis in the final.

This Date in U.S. Open History

August 27:The defending champion survives his opener (1985)
August 28:Jimmy Connors' legendary run begins (1991)
August 29: Pierce rises from the dead (2003)
August 30:Santoro, Blake put on a show (2007)
August 31: Agassi's final, epic victory (2006)
September 1:Sampras' win streak snapped (1997)
September 2:Doubles players announce lawsuit vs. ATP (2005)
September 3:Safin survives in breakthrough tournament (2000)
September 4:A bizarre Williams vs. Williams match (2005)
September 5:Unbreakable: Pete vs. Andre (2001)
September 6:A Seles-Capriati classic (1991)
September 7: The late show with Agassi and Blake (2005)
September 8:Venus' late comeback vs. Hingis (2000)
September 9:Sharapova feels pretty powerful (2006)