2011 US Open: Serena Williams advances to US Open Semifinal

Serena Williams advanced to the US Open 2011 Semifinals on Thursday after beating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia 7-5, 6-1 in the quarterfinals.

Williams, the 28th seed but the heavy favorite to win her 14th Slam at the Flushing Meadows, overcame a difficult first set encounter, earning a break to lead 7-5. The second set was a breeze and lasted only half an hour.

Williams will next face world number one Caroline Wozniacki who beat Germany’s Andrea Petkovic in the other quarterfinal match.