Venus shows her class in Luxembourg
October 20, 2012 10:29:03 UK
Venus Williams is hoping to reach her first final of a difficult year after winning through to the last four of the Luxembourg Open.
Venus Williams caused a shock by beating Roberta Vinci.The American only returned to action in mid-March after being sidelined for seven months with illness and managed to win through to the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Open before she was beaten by Li Na.
After beating the number one seed Roberta Vinci 7-6 6-4 in the quarter-finals of the Luxembourg Open, Williams said: "It was definitely well-contested today - every time I had a break, she would play unbelievable against my serve in the next game.
"We fought for every point. We ran so much. And it's great to come out on top against a player who has had such a great year, not only in singles but also in doubles.
"It's one match at a time, and every match is challenging. Everyone wants to end the year in a positive way - so do I - so I'll try to get to the final."
In the other quarter-finals, Daniela Hantuchova, who missed the entire clay court season earlier this year, including the French Open, with a foot injury, enjoyed a run of 12 games out of 13 as she swept aside Lourdes Dominguez Lino 7-5 6-0.
Monica Niculescu, who missed two months of action in the summer, including the Olympics, because of an injury to her left hand, won the first eight games of her match against Lucis Hradecka on her way to a 6-0 6-4 victory while Andrea Petkovic also progressed to the last four.
She has struggled with back and ankle injuries for much of 2012 but thrashed Ksenia Pervak 6-3 6-2 and is now 5.50 to win the tournament.
Williams is 1.80 to win the Luxembourg Open while Niculescu can be backed at 7.00 and Hantuchova at 4.00.
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