Stanford: Top seed Serena Williams won the final eight games to rout Andrea Petkovic in the semi-final at the Stanford Classic in California on Sunday.
Williams eventually turned what started as a closely-fought contest into a one-sided romp as she beat the frustrated German 7-5 6-0.
The American will go for her third title in four years when she meets third seed Angelique Kerber in the final on Sunday.
“Andrea and I both had really long matches yesterday, so I was just hoping to come out again on Sunday with fresh legs, and just try to do the best I could out there,” said Williams, who survived a tough three-setter to beat Ana Ivanovic in the quarters on Friday.
“My body feels great. I’m just really excited to be in the finals of Stanford again. I love playing in California. I’m a Californian girl.”
Asked what had been going through her mind at 5-5 in the first set, she said: “I just had to step up my game because Andrea was playing so well.
Williams, winner of 60 WTA titles, is playing her first event since a surprise third round loss to Alize Cornet at Wimbledon in June. (Reuters)