Sport
Serena Williams advances to final in Madrid
Serena Williams beats Lucie Hradecka. PHOTO/Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP
Serena Williams will meet top-ranked Victoria Azarenka in the final of the Madrid Open after both players dispensed with their opponents in straight sets on Saturday.
Williams beat qualifier Lucie Hradecka 7-6 (5), 6-0 on the new blue-clay court after Azarenka ousted fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2, 6-4.
On the men’s side, Tomas Berdych edged Juan Martin del Potro 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6) to advance to Sunday’s final against the winner of the other semifinal between Roger Federer and Janko Tipsarevic.
Federer can displace Rafael Nadal as the second-ranked player if he wins the tournament. Nadal lost to Fernando Verdasco on Thursday.
The ninth-ranked Williams edged the tenacious Czech to have a shot at her second title of the season. Azarenka has won four tournaments this year.
“Victoria has been so consistent in her game this year,” Williams said. “She is so consistent, so amazing and so, just nearly perfect. I am going to the final with nothing to lose.”
Williams holds a 6-1 head-to-head record against Azarenka, whose only win came in 2009. This will be the first time they meet on clay.
