Thaindian News

Madrid, May 15 (DPA) In-form Venus Williams played ruthless tennis Saturday to move into her first clay final of the European spring season with a 6-3, 6-0 win over outclassed Israeli Shahar Peer at the Madrid Masters tennis.
American fourth seed Williams - set to become second in the world Monday behind her sister Serena - now stands 5-0 without the loss of a set against the world number 22, who never stood a chance in the hammering.

“She’s a really tenacious player, very talented, with a never-say-die spirit,” said Williams. “I was ready for that. I just seemed to be able to find the corners.

“I can’t complain about being able to play that well against a player like her. To have come out on top so far feels good. I’ve been happy with my form and I’m going to try to keep it going tomorrow.”

Williams quickly recovered from an early break of her serve, taking the 66-minute contest by the neck to win the last nine games in a canter.

The 29-year-old who celebrates a birthday next month, will be playing her fourth final of the season - the second on clay after winning Acapulco - against either Czech Lucie Safarova or Arvane Rezai of France Sunday.

Williams now stands a formidable 12-1 on the red dirt in 2010, firing 17 winners and breaking her flustered opponent six times.

“The ultimate is to win the French, and I’ve come close (2002) final against her sister). “I think I’ve won every other tournament except the French on clay, so I’d like to take it one more step.”

Williams is seeking a tenth career trophy on clay. Peer had been hoping to claim the sixth Top-10 win of her career after putting out Russian number seven Svetlana Kuznetsova in the first round in the capital.

Peer still heads the WTA match-win table on 27 this season.