Venus defeats Bartoli in Key Biscayne semis

Associated Press

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla.

Venus Williams added a new dance step to her celebration routine Thursday, mimicking the player she had just beaten by hopping foot to foot at the net.

With that, Williams sashayed into the final at the Sony Ericsson Open. She won her 15th consecutive match Thursday by beating Marion Bartoli 6-3, 6-4.

Bartoli’s bounce steps and knee lifts between points were entertaining but failed to elevate her game. Williams will likely face more formidable opposition Saturday when she plays the winner of Thursday night’s semifinal between Belgians Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin, both back from retirement.

“I’m very pleased to be in the final, but it’s not enough,” said Williams, seeded third. “I want to take the title.”

So do Tomas Berdych and Robin Soderling. Both won quarterfinal matches, and they’ll meet tonight.

Berdych built on the momentum of his upset win Tuesday over top-ranked Roger Federer, beating Fernando Verdasco 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4. Soderling broke serve six times and eliminated Mikhail Youzhny 6-1, 6-4.

Andy Roddick faces Rafael Nadal in the other semifinal.

Williams is riding her longest winning streak since 2004, and she’s a finalist for the first time in nine years at the tournament she considers her hometown event. She won the title in 1998, 1999 and 2001.

With five-time champion Serena Williams watching from the photo pit, Venus took charge at the start against Bartoli, needing only 11 strokes to win the first eight points. A shaky Bartoli double-faulted four times to lose the sixth game, and said her legs felt tight because Williams’ power put so much pressure on her.