Seles steers US into final

Seles returns during her victory over Clijsters

Former world number one Monica Seles has swept the United States into the final of the Hopman Cup tennis tournament.

Showing no ill effects after a security breach at courtside the previous night, Seles beat Belgium's Kim Clijsters 7-6 (7/4) 6-0.

The United States needed to win only one rubber against Belgium to reach Saturday's final after beating Slovakia 3-0 and Russia 2-1 in the round-robin contest.

In the final, the Americans will clash with the winners of Friday's meeting between top seeds and favourites Switzerland and reigning champions South Africa.

It was all blown out of proportion, but I signed the autograph for the guy

  Monica Seles

Seles said either team would provide tough opposition in the final.

"The Swiss are playing awfully well and to my mind are the favourites, but you never know," she said.

"South Africa, as defending champions, are terrific players and it will be a great match Friday."

In Wednesday's security breach, an autograph-seeking spectator broke through a security cordon to tap Seles on the shoulder.

But Seles, who was stabbed by a deranged spectator in Germany almost eight years ago, laughed off suggestions she had been startled.

"It was all blown out of proportion, but I signed the autograph for the guy," she said. "He was a very nice man and said sorry about 10 times.

"There was nothing to it and I was very surprised how it was presented.

"There have been security guards at every tournament since I was stabbed.

"Different things happen for different reasons, and I feel very comfortable out there right now at this point in my career."