Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Venus Williams has reached her fourth career Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships semifinal with a 6-3, 7-5 win over qualifier Flavia Pennetta of Italy.
The American, who won this title in 2009 and 2010, squandered her first chance of victory. Serving at 5-4, she lost a match point when Pennetta hit a forehand crosscourt winner. Four points later Pennetta broke serve to even the score.
However, Pennetta dropped serve in the 11th game to give Williams a second chance. After falling 0-40 behind, Williams fought back to take the game and the match.
Williams will play the winner of the quarterfinal match between eighth-seeded Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark and Sorana Cirstea of Romania. Top seed Serena Williams plays fifth-seeded Jelena
Jankovic of Serbia in a Thursday night featured match. – Sapa-AP