Serena Williams trounces Flavia Pennetta to reach semis – Internazionali BNL D’Italia 2012
Former world number one, Serena Williams, overpowered the last local star, Flavia Pennetta by registering a 4-0 retirement victory at the Internazionali BNL D’Italia 2012 on Friday. As a result, the ecstatic American booked a final four place at this WTA
(Women’s Tennis Association) Premier Five event taking place in Rome, Italy.
The American number one was ruling in the 28-minutes lasting match when Pennetta suffered a right wrist injury and was forced to pull out from the professional tennis. Williams not only improved to 3-0 in the head-to-head series against the Swiss resident
but also extended her winning run on clay by 17 matches.
"I hope she feels better soon," the American was quoted afterwards. "For me there's a good side, that I've played every day without a day off, so after this press conference I'll probably just do some commitments then go back and relax the rest of the day.
But of course it's always difficult to be injured. She was playing so well."
Williams, who is currently ranked sixth in the WTA Premier Rankings, warded off early scare to pluck his opening serve. However, she sought her momentum after that and drew the first blood in the second game. The American then quickly held her serve before
cashing in her second break chance, eventually leaping to a 4-0 lead.
The world number 21 on the other side got failed to continue her match after that and subsequently retired from the tournament.
Summing up the performance of the ninth seed at this venture, Williams clobbered a better first serve share of 61 per cent as compared to her rival’s 56 per cent and superbly availed 10 out of 11 points on it.
The 30-year-old American is bidding to break the win-loss record of 24-0 by Justin Henin in 2005. She has already bagged two titles this season and is eyeing for her 42nd career title at this event.
Next in line for Williams is the Roland Garros titlist, Li Na, who eased past Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova in straight sets to set-up this battle.
"Li Na is the defending French Open champion," Williams reflected about the Chinese number one. "She's great to test yourself against because she's a good all-round player and she's so fit."
The second seed, Maria Sharapova, will accompany the American in the last four. She got the better of Serena’s sister, Venus Williams, in straight sets to progress at this red clay court event.
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