Venus Williams became the first woman into the final four of the $4.5-million Sony Ericsson Open, routing Agnieszka Radwanska, 63 61.The match was tight early on, with the pair locked at 3-all and the No.6-seeded Radwanska actually holding break points; but the No.3-seeded Williams kicked it up about five notches from that moment, winning 11 of the next 13 points to take the first set, then barely looking back in a 33-minute second set.
"We had some interesting times in the first set, but it was straightforward," Williams said. "I was eager to clean up my act today. We had some good rallies and some good points, but I just see myself coming out on top."
Williams pounded eight aces in the match, including three in her last service game in the second set. Highlights: V.Williams vs. A.Radwanska
"Obviously I have a huge advantage with my serve. It has always kind of been that way," Williams said. "There were some I hit that came pretty fast, and it was pretty sunny out there, so there was glare coming off the court. I guess with those two things combined it may have been tough for her to return them."
Less than 24 hours earlier, Williams won her fourth round match against Daniela Hantuchova in a squeaker, 16 75 64, after being down, 61 20.
"Getting through a match like that gives me confidence. To beat a player like Daniela when she is playing so well and I'm not at my best helps a lot with my confidence moving forward in the tournament."
Awaiting Williams in the semifinals is No.13 seed Marion Bartoli, who, at night, edged No.12 seed Yanina Wickmayer, 64 75. Playing each other for the first time, the two players matched each other in the power department but it was the more experienced Bartoli who came out on top in the big moments, holding serve after six straight breaks to take the first set, then clawing her way out of triple set point at 4-5 in the second set (she was down 0-40) en route to taking the second set and the match.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Singles - Quarterfinals
(3) V Williams (USA) d. (6) A Radwanska (POL) 63 61
(13) M Bartoli (FRA) d. (12) Y Wickmayer (BEL) 64 75
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