Indian Wells Masters: Venus Williams into semis for first time since 2001

California, March 16: Venus Williams reached the Indian Wells Masters semi-finals for the first time in 17 years with a straight-sets win over Carla Suarez Navarro on Thursday (March 15).

Williams, the eighth seed at the WTA Premier event, cruised past Suarez Navarro 6-3 6-2 in their quarter-final clash.

The seven-time grand slam champion reached the last four at Indian Wells for the first time since 2001, when her withdrawal from a meeting with Serena saw the sisters booed, leading to neither entering the tournament again until 2015.

Venus has been in fine form at the event this year, not dropping a set on her way to the last four, where Daria Kasatkina awaits.

.@Venuseswilliams is into the @BNPPARIBASOPEN semifinals for the first time since 2001!

She downs Suarez Navarro, 6-3, 6-2! #BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/IXQlUNEcWC

— WTA (@WTA) March 16, 2018

The 37-year-old never looked troubled against Suarez Navarro, who converted just one of seven break points.

Venus – who mixed 16 winners with 23 unforced errors – made the most of her chances, capitalising on four of five break points on her way to victory in one hour and 11 minutes.

Source: OPTA