Serena to WTA semifinals

Top-ranked American Serena Williams advanced to the semifinals of the WTA Championships in Istanbul by sweeping Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic 6-2, 6-3 Thursday.

Serena Williams

Tennis

Serena to WTA semifinals

Top-ranked American Serena Williams advanced to the semifinals of the WTA Championships in Istanbul by sweeping Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic 6-2, 6-3 Thursday.

Williams, the defending champion, won all three matches in her group without dropping a set. She’s bidding for her fourth title in the eight-woman, season-ending tournament.

Earlier, Li Na of China outlasted Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 for her second victory and eighth-seeded Angelique Kerber of Germany upset No. 3 Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland 6-2, 6-2 to remain in contention for the semifinals. Radwanska was eliminated.

Kerber (1-1) went 0-3 last year in the tournament. She will play Kvitova on Friday for a spot in the last four.