Serena and Venus Into Dubai Semis
World number one Serena Williams advanced to the semifinals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Thursday, defeating the fifth-seeded Jelena Jankovic in straight sets 6-2, 6-2. Serena has yet to capture the the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Title, her best results to date were a pair of semifinals appearances, in 2005 when she was forced to retire against Jankovic due to a shoulder injury, and in 2009, when she lost to her sister Venus Williams).
Awaiting Serena in the semifinals is Alizé Cornet, a 7-5, 6-3 quarterfinals winner over Carla Suárez Navarro. Serena is 3-0 lifetime against Cornet, who is 0-17 lifetime against top four players.
Joining Serena in the semis is her sister Venus, a 6-3, 7-5 winner Thursday over against Flavia Pennetta. Pennetta has taken four of seven matches played against Venus over their career.
Venus’ semifinals opponent will be another former world number one, Caroline Wozniacki, who was a 6-1, 6-2 winner in just over an hour against Sorana Cirstea. Cirstea had pulled off upset wins over Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani en route to the quarters.
Venus is a perfect 4-0 lifetime against Wozniacki as she seeks entry into the finals to meet a familiar foe, her sister Serena should she get past Cornet.
