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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, August 1, 2009

Tennis: Venus Williams an easy winner at Bank of the West Classic


Associated Press

STANFORD, Calif. — Second-seeded Venus Williams was at the top of her game as she advanced to the finals of the Bank of the West Classic, beating third-seeded Elena Dementieva 6-0, 6-1 on Saturday in a match that lasted just over an hour.

"I felt like everything went well for me," Williams said in a prepared statement as she got ready for her doubles match, which immediately followed, with her sister Serena. "I was able to raise my level at the important parts. My plan is to try and keep this level for the rest of the tournament."

The third-ranked Williams will be seeking her third title at Stanford in her first appearance since 2005. Dementieva, ranked fourth in the world, reached her seventh semifinal of the season.

Williams beat Dementieva for the sixth consecutive time and improved to 9-2 against her.

"I don't have good statistics against Venus," Dementieva said. "She was playing too good for me. She was powerful on the baseline and had a solid first serve. She didn't give me much of a chance. I might have been able to win a few more points, but not the match."

Dementieva had three winners and 19 unforced errors in the match.

"My percentage of first serves were low and that gave her a chance to attack me. I did not put any pressure on her with my serve. She was playing solid and looked confident on the court."

Williams, who won for the 10th time in 11 matches, plays the winner of a later match between Marion Bartoli and Samantha Stosur for the title.