2014 STANFORD: Serena Faces Kerber In Final

Serena Williams reached the final of her first tournament back on the WTA tour, beating Andrea Petkovic 7-5 6-0 on Saturday at the Bank of the West Classic on the campus of Stanford University. She will face Angelique Kerber in the final on Sunday afternoon after the German saved match point to win 4-6 7-6(4) 6-2 late Saturday night.

Serena had a tough battle with former World #1 Ana Ivanovic on Friday night, coming back herself from 2-6 down in the first set to win the last two sets 6-3 7-5. This was an important victory for Serena, facing a player with the most wins on tour this year, who had beaten her at the 2014 Australian Open. Ivanovic played very well, at times out-hitting Serena and showing none of the mental lapses that have plagued her game in the past; she will be rewarded by entering the Top 10 on Monday.

Earlier in the week Venus Williams surprised many by putting on a vintage display of power and will to defeat Victoria Azarenka 6-4 7-6(1). Petkovic managed to defeat her in one of the best matches of the year, 6-1 3-6 7-5. Venus fought hard, coming back from a break down in both the second and third sets, eventually evening the match out at 5-all in the final set but lost the two last games and the match.