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Stosur sets up Serena showdown

Serena Williams consoles Sabine Lisicki © PA Photos

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Sam Stosur claimed two victories on Friday at the Family Circle Cup, the second of which propelled her into the semi-finals of the tournament where she will meet Serena Williams.

Last year's US Open winner had her third-round match against Galina Voskoboeva halted because of rain on Thursday, but the Australian promptly won the match 6-3 4-6 6-2 when play resumed. Stosur then faced the returning Venus Williams just two hours later.

Stosur had never beaten Williams in their five previous meetings, which appeared to be an ominous omen after going through a horror slump since her Flushing Meadows triumph in 2011. However, Stosur held her nerve throughout the quarter-final contest, eventually pulling through 6-3 4-6 6-3.

"Today was very different than what we've been playing in, so it was good to get used to the conditions," Stosur said. "Maybe I would have preferred not to play two three-set matches, but nevertheless, I'm happy to be through. And I'm very, very happy to have beaten Venus now."

Stosur will now face Venus' sister Serena Williams in the final four after she was offered an easy passage into the semis courtesy of an ankle injury sustained by Sabine Lisicki. Williams held a 4-1 lead in the opening set against Lisicki before the German decided she could no longer play through the pain.

Only seven players have gone on to win a tournament after defeating both Williams sisters, but Stosur will head into the clash with confidence after defeating Serena in their last outing on a clay surface.

Meanwhile, Lucie Safarova stunned fourth seeded Vera Zvonareva 6-3 6-3 to set up a semi-final match with Polona Hercog, who easily accounted for Nadia Petrova in 68 minutes.

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