Serena Barges Into Semis At WTA Tourney

Stanford, CA (AHN) - Serena Williams coasted into the semifinals of the Bank of the West Classic tennis event Friday after defeating fifth-seeded Patty Schynder of Switzerland in straight sets.

The 26-year-old top-seeded Serena, coming off a setback at the recent Wimbledon final against older sister, Venus, carved out a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Schynder in her first appearance on the hard courts at Taube Family Tennis Stadium.

Schnyder, a runner-up in the 2006 WTA and has reached the quarters here in 2004 and last year, drops to 3-11 in her career meetings with Williams.

Meanwhile, Serena, who has not won a Grand slam title since 2007, has reached the quarter-finals in eight of nine events she has entered, losing only to Katarina Srebotnik in the third round of the French Open.

Serena will either face Samantha Stosur of Australia or Canada's Aleksandra Wozniak in the semifinal.