Williams sets up No 1, 2 Indian Wells clash

INDIAN WELLS, United States: Serena Williams dethroned defending champion Simona Halep in straight sets Wednesday to set up an Indian Wells semi-final showdown between the world No. 1 and 2.

Williams reached just her second semi in 15 years by beating Halep 6-4, 6-3 on Wednesday.

“She’s a dangerous player,” Williams said of Halep. “She knows what it takes to beat the best player so I knew I had to play as best as I could.”

Williams advances to face Agnieszka Radwanska, who has never beaten Williams in nine career matches.

Fifth seeded Halep was the one who helped spoil Williams’ much-anticipated return to the WTA and ATP Tour tournament last year, winning their semi-final in a walkover after Williams pulled out right before the match with a knee injury. Halep went on to beat Jelena Jankovic in the final.

It was all Williams on Wednesday as the 21-time Grand Slam winner played as if she had something to prove, blasting six aces and winning 80 percent of her first-serve points.

“Feels good to get that win,” Williams said. “I had to buckle down.”

Last year’s semi-final withdrawal by Williams cut short her first Indian Wells campaign since 2001, when spectators booed her during the final and jeered her sister, Venus, and father Richard Williams after the pair arrived to watch the match. Richard Williams alleges he heard racial comments. — AFP