Vesnina vanquishes Venus

AFP, INDIAN WELLS (US): Elena Vesnina denied Venus Williams another great escape, beating the seven-time Grand Slam champion 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 Thursday to reach the semi-finals at Indian Wells.
As Williams shook off a lethargic start and began to apply some pressure, Vesnina kept her poise, finishing off the contest on her fourth match point after fending off six break points in the final game.
She’ll play Kristina Mladenovic for a place in the final after the French player's 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 victory over former world number one Caroline Wozniacki. After the match Williams acknowledged some physical "issues" that had troubled her throughout the tournament, although she declined to elaborate.
Whatever her troubles, when Williams leveled the match at a set apiece, Vesnina couldn't help recalling that the American had saved three match points in her second-round victory over Jelena Jankovic. Williams, who ended a 15-year boycott of the event last year but lost her opening match, was in pursuit of a first Indian Wells title.
The 36-year-old star did indeed save three match points against her own serve in the eighth game of the third set -- a game that went to deuce six times before Williams held with a blistering forehand winner.

Vesnina vanquishes Venus

AFP, INDIAN WELLS (US): Elena Vesnina denied Venus Williams another great escape, beating the seven-time Grand Slam champion 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 Thursday to reach the semi-finals at Indian Wells. As Williams shook off a lethargic start and began to apply some pressure, Vesnina kept her poise, finishing off the contest on her fourth match point after fending off six break points in the final game. Shell play Kristina Mladenovic for a place in the final after the French players 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 victory over former world number one Caroline Wozniacki. After the match Williams acknowledged some physical issues that had troubled her throughout the tournament, although she declined to elaborate. Whatever her troubles, when Williams leveled the match at a set apiece, Vesnina couldnt help recalling that the American had saved three match points in her second-round victory over Jelena Jankovic. Williams, who ended a 15-year boycott of the event last year but lost her opening match, was in pursuit of a first Indian Wells title. The 36-year-old star did indeed save three match points against her own serve in the eighth game of the third set -- a game that went to deuce six times before Williams held with a blistering forehand winner.