Kim Clijsters is a picture of delight after beating third-seeded Venus Williams on Mondday to advance to the fourth round of the US Open, 6-0, 0-6, 6-4.

NEW YORK (Reuters) — Kim Clijsters marked her dazzling return to the grand slam spotlight by ousting Venus Williams, while kid sister Serena picked up the slack by digging in for an extended New York stay.

There was no shortage of drama amid the ideal weather at Flushing Meadows, with Rafael Nadal advancing to the fourth-round with more eyes than usual focused on his abs.

Second seed Andy Murray joined the men’s clique still alive for the Open’s second week, along with sixth seed Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina, French seventh seed Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain, and Chile's Fernando Gonzalez.

The scores of ticket-holders streaming into a sold-out National Tennis Center correctly sensed that Day Seven of the year’s final grand slam would be special.

Clijsters’ electrifying appearance in the limelight after a two-year hiatus had more than 23,000 in Arthur Ashe Stadium cheering her every move.

She took a bite out of Venus’ Big Apple experience with a wacky 6-0, 0-6, 6-4 victory, a one-hour and 42-minute theatrical adventure able to rival anything on nearby Broadway.

“It was unbelievable,” said the euphoric Belgian, who left the game to start her family. “I don’t really know what to say. It was such a weird match.

“After I lost the second set, 6-0, I was just like, okay, just start over and fight for every point,” added Clijsters, who will next face Li Na after the Chinese veteran beat Italy’s Francesca Schiavone, 6-2, 6-3.

Winning on the Open’s marquee court provided a sense of deja vu for the unseeded 26-year-old Clijsters, who won the title here in 2005.

“It’s still kind of hard to believe,” she said. “But then again, I’m not trying to get carried away with it all. Just trying to focus on what I have to do because the tournament’s still going.”

Since Clijsters’ return is only weeks old, the affable Belgian does not even have a ranking.

Clijsters won her serve to close out the match, but had to save to two break points in the process. The former world number one conceded she was “shaking” in the final game.

“My arm felt like 50 pounds or more. But I told myself, ‘Look, don’t give it away like that. Try to play aggressive tennis and let her come up with a good shot to win it.’”

“She played well,” offered third-seeded Venus, whose quest for a third Open title - and first since 2001 - was derailed.

“She’s always played well throughout her career. I’m sure she’ll continue to do that.”

With 29-year-old Venus having checked out of the tournament, number two seed Serena had the family flag still flying high with a 6-2 6-0 annihilation of Daniela Hantuchova.