Williams Wins 10th Straight, Waltzes into Warsaw Final

Posted on May 1, 2004

Second-seeded Venus Williams cruised to her second straight final Saturday after dispatching Russian Vera Zvonareva 6-3, 6-2, in the semifinals of the J S Cup WTA event in Warsaw, Poland.

In Sunday's finale, Williams will face another Russian, No. 4 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova who was a 6-3, 6-2, winner over Italy's Francesca Schiavone.

``This has been my best match,'' Williams said following the win. ``I guess it's been a little while. It's the match I've been able to move my best and really compete well. It's just been a long way back for me from so many injuries, so many frustrations. This proves that so much hard work and dedication and hope it is worth it."

Williams has had trouble with Zvonareva in the past, having lost to the Russian at the French Open last year in three sets, but the American was on her tennis game.

``I always felt I was in control in the rallies, even when I was on the defense,'' Williams said of her win over Zvonareva, who beat her last year at the French Open. ``I knew I could come up with a pretty forceful shot. I enjoyed the rallies and I was definitely able to attack her serve.''

The victory also improved Williams's current win-streak to 10 matches, which includes a title two weeks ago in Charleston and a two wins last weekend in Fed Cup play. Last year in Warsaw, Williams injured an abdominal muscle and had to retire during the final to Amelia Mauresmo.