• Sony Ericsson Open

Venus powers into semi-finals in Miami

Venus Williams has won 15 of 16 matches in 2010 © Getty Images

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Venus Williams sent an ominous message to the rest of the field as she breezed into the semi-finals of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.

World No. 5 Williams continued her formidable form in 2010 - she has triumphed in 15 of 16 matches so far this year - to defeat sixth seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-3 6-1 in 73 minutes.

Radwanska was only able to deal with Williams' power in spells - most notably in the first set, where she secured her only break of serve in the match. Keeping with Williams was too arduous a task for Radwanska in the second set, as her energy reserves drained in the oppressive heat.

The Polish player, ninth in the world rankings, lost her serve three times in the final set as she could offer only feeble resistance against Williams - winner of the last two tournaments she has entered.

Williams admitted her service weapon gave her a huge advantage in taking the victory.

"We had some interesting times in the first set, but it was straightforward," Williams said. "I was eager to clean up my act today. We had some good rallies and some good points, but I just see myself coming out on top.

"Obviously I have a huge advantage with my serve. It has always kind of been that way. There were some I hit that came pretty fast, and it was pretty sunny out there, so there was glare coming off the court. I guess with those two things combined it may have been tough for her to return them."

Williams, who has now reached her seventh semi-final at Key Biscayne, is bidding to win her 14th successive match at the tournament.

In her way is Marion Bartoli, after she defeated Yanina Wickmayer 6-4 7-5 in the day's other quarter-final.

There were 12 breaks of serve in the topsy-turvy match, but Bartoli took seven of those to secure her passage. Wickmayer could only win 45% of points on her own serve, eclipsed by Bartoli's 50%, although the Frenchwoman will want to improve on that to stand a chance of beating Williams.

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