Serena so serene

TORONTO – Serena Williams breezed through to the semifinals of the Rogers Cup on Friday with a straight-sets victory over Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic.

Williams, seeded second, was rarely challenged in a 6-3, 6-2 win over the 46th-ranked qualifier. Williams will next face No. 4 Elena Dementieva of Russia, who advanced with a tough three-set win over Australia’s Samantha Stosur.

The two met at Wimbledon and Williams won that three-set marathon 6-7 (4), 7-5, 8-6.         (AP)