Williams reaches final, Hewitt out in Japan tennis Open
Saturday, 6 October 2007
TOKYO, Oct 5 (AFP): Venus Williams quashed a spirited challenge from Danish teen Caroline Wozniacki Friday to reach the final of the Japan Open tennis tournament, while former world number one Lleyton Hewitt was knocked out.
The Wimbledon champion, heavily favoured for the title, powered to a 6-3, 7-5 victory to move to within one match of back-to-back tour wins after last week's Korea Open triumph.
In Saturday's final the American will take on fifth seed Virginie Razzano of France, who defeated eighth seed Flavia Pennetta of Italy 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Meanwhile, fourth-seeded Hewitt, from Australia, crashed to seventh seed Ivo karlovic of Croatia 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (8/6) in the men's singles quarter-finals.
The Wimbledon champion, heavily favoured for the title, powered to a 6-3, 7-5 victory to move to within one match of back-to-back tour wins after last week's Korea Open triumph.
In Saturday's final the American will take on fifth seed Virginie Razzano of France, who defeated eighth seed Flavia Pennetta of Italy 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Meanwhile, fourth-seeded Hewitt, from Australia, crashed to seventh seed Ivo karlovic of Croatia 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (8/6) in the men's singles quarter-finals.