Friday 27 February 2015 10:30, UK
Venus Williams claimed her second win of the season over Agnieszka Radwanska when she defeated the Pole 6-4 1-6 6-3 to reach the semi-finals of the Qatar Open.
Williams will now play dual former champion Victoria Azarenka, who romped past Caroline Wozniacki 6-3 6-1.
The two matches were rematches of clashes from the Australian Open earlier this year and the results were the same, as Williams and Azarenka prevailed.
Azarenka received a wild card entry into this tournament as she continues her comeback after an injury-disrupted 2014 and produced a fine display against Wozniacki, hitting 26 winners in a match between two former World No 1’s.
Williams started her match against Radwanska with a break to love and that proved the decisive moment in the opening set but the American wobbled badly in the second and found herself facing a third three-setter in four days.
She then powered into a 5-1 lead in the final set but had to weather a Radwanska fightback before smacking a forehand winner down the line to serve out the match at the second attempt.
Williams will now contest her first Qatar semi-final and she has won all four of her previous matches against Azarenka.
"I just tried to stay focused because she wasn't going to let up," said Williams after the two hour, 16 minute win over Radwanska.
"Every match (this week) has been three sets, so it's been really challenging.
"No one gives you a point, you have to fight, fight, fight for each point, and I guess it'll be more of that tomorrow."
In the other semi-final, ninth seed Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain will take on Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic.
Suarez Navarro came from a set down to upset top seed Petra Kvitova 3-6 6-0 6-3 while Safarova easily defeated Andrea Petkovic 6-2 6-1.
