Venus ends Tamarine's dream run
LONDON (Reuters) - Champion Venus Williams ended Thai Tamarine Tanasugarn's dream run at Wimbledon with a 6-4 6-3 win in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.
The seventh seed, chasing a fifth title at the All England Club, made sure an all-Williams women's final was still on the cards by reaching the semi-finals for the seventh time.
The American moved around court with ease on Tuesday but after sealing victory, she limped off court.
Williams said she had tweaked a hamstring and added: "I'll be fine, I'm a big girl, I can deal with injuries."
After the downfall of the top four seeds at this year's championships, Williams is favorite to meet sister Serena in Saturday's final.
Although Serena still has to negotiate her quarter-final opponent, Polish teenager Agnieszka Radwanska, Venus was already looking forward to a final date with her younger sibling.
"I love it here, I've had some great times," said the 28-year-old.
"It will be amazing if we were both in the final, I've just got to keep it up for one more match.
The American will meet Russian Elena Dementieva, at five the highest seed left in the women's draw, who beat Nadia Petrova on Centre Court 6-1 6-7 6-3.
Tamarine, at 31 the oldest player left among the women, had led a charmed life over the last nine days when she claimed the scalps of 13th seed Vera Zvonareva in the second round and second seed Jelena Jankovic in the last 16.
Her dogged display helped her to become the first Thai woman to reach the last eight of a grand slam -- at her 45th attempt.
On Tuesday, however, she came unstuck.
Williams nosed ahead 3-2 in the first set after three successive breaks of serve.
Playing gritty tennis from the baseline, Tamarine had six chances to break in the sixth game which dragged on for 12 fluctuating minutes on a sweltering Court One.
But each time Tamarine threatened to break, Williams would glare down at her opponent and unleash a thunderbolt delivery. The American finally chalked up game point with a 125 mph (201 kph) ace and followed it with a 126 mph (203) service winner.
After saving a set point at 4-5 down, Tamarine brought the cheering crowd to their feet in the next game.
With the help of a netcord, she whipped a running forehand past a lunging Williams and followed it up with a lob to earn yet another break point.
However, Williams maintained her aura of calm and moments later she sealed the set with a thundering backhand winner.
Tamarine continued to hand her American opponent anxious moments in the second set but Williams, who had raced into a 2-0 lead, got herself out of trouble each time with some impressive firepower.
Tamarine bowed out after 95 minutes, tapping a forehand wide.
(Editing by Clare Lovell)
