{image-ana ivanovic_23012008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Melbourne, Jan. 23: Serbia's Ana Ivanovic defeated American eighth seed Venus Williams in straight sets 7-6 (3), 6-4 to reach the Australian Open semifinals Wednesday.

She will face No. 9 seed Slovakian Deniela Hantuchova who trounced Polish Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2, 6-2 earlier Wednesday.
Ivanovic came out hot and broke Williams to go up 2-0 but the veteran American broke back in the next.
Neither could hold serve in the following games and they sent the first set to a tiebreak. Williams saved a set point at 6-3 but netted a return to give Ivanovic the set.

Williams, who is trying to add the Australian Open trophy to her seven Grand Slam titles, broke early in the second set and led at 3-0.
However, Ivanovic came back strongly, holding serve and breaking back to make it 5-4.


Williams had two break points in the 10th game, but Ivanovic still defended her serve and claimed the final victory in one hour and 46 minutes

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