Serena books semi-final berth for fourth time in five years

NEW YORK: Serena Williams booked a last-four berth for the fourth time in five years in overwhelming fashion.

US fourth seed Serena Williams, a 14-time Grand Slam champion seeking her fourth crown on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts, routed Serbian 12th seed Ana Ivanovic 6-1, 6-3 in 58 minutes, firing 12 aces in a commanding performance.

Williams, who lost to Stosur in last year's final, will face Italian 10th seed Sara Errani on Friday for a berth in Saturday's final.

Williams has only dropped 16 games through five matches while blasting a tournament-best 41 aces.

Errani became the first Italian woman in the Open era to reach the US Open semi-finals with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over 20th-seeded compatriot, doubles partner and best friend Roberta Vinci.

Errani lost to Sharapova at this year's French Open final in her best career Grand Slam result. They could meet again for a trophy on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts if both can get past higher-seeded foes.(AFP)