Stanford, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - World No. 1 and top-seeded Serena Williams is back in the Bank of the West Classic final after posting a 7-5, 6-0 victory over eighth-seeded German Andrea Petkovic on Saturday.
Serena, who won the last eight games, is a two-time champion at this tournament. She claimed the titles in 2011 and 2012.
There were no breaks of serve until the 12th game of the match. Petkovic fought off four break points before two forehand misfires ended a competitive opening set.
Serena dominated the second set, winning 26 of the 36 points. Another forehand error by Petkovic closed out the match on the hardcourts at Taube Family Tennis Center.
The American superstar is looking for her fourth title of the season and 61st of her career.
Serena will play third-seeded German Angelique Kerber, who won the other semifinal against American Varvara Lepchenko, in Sunday's final.
Kerber dropped the first set but rallied to a 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 victory to earn a trip to her fourth final of the season. She is still looking for her first title win of 2014.
Kerber has now won her last three meetings with Lepchenko after dropping the first four.
The 2014 Stanford champion will claim $120,000.
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