Williams sisters in Dubai semifinals

Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- Serena and Venus Williams will square off in the semifinals of the $2 million Dubai Tennis Championships.

The world No. 1-ranked Serena Williams and sixth-rated Venus Williams each had straight-set victories Thursday in quarterfinal play and will meet for the 19th time in their careers. The sisters have split the previous 18 meetings with Venus winning the most recent match, a three-setter in last year's tour championships.

Serena Williams advanced to the semifinals with a 6-4, 6-4 win over eighth-seeded Ana Ivanovic. Ivanovic led 4-1 in the second set before Williams put the match away.

Venus Williams was a 6-3, 6-3, winner over fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva and faced just one break point in the dominating performance.

The first semifinal Friday pits 16th-seeded Kaia Kanepi against Virginie Razzano. Razzano has a 3-2 series lead on Kanepi, but both of Kanepi's wins came in the pair's most recent meetings.

Razzano made the semis with a tight 7-6 (9-7), 7-5 upset of fifth-seeded Vera Zvonareva. Kanepi ousted Elena Vesnina 6-3, 7-5 in her quarterfinal.

Friday's winners meet Saturday with the first-place check of $350,000 at stake.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.