Sam's Town: Stosur Stops Serena In Stanford

Serena Williams squeezed past Samantha Stosur in their last meeting. Today, Stosur made sure Williams ran out of wiggle room in Stanford.

The 20th-ranked Australian advanced to her second semifinal of the season with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 triumph over the top-seeded Williams at the Bank Of The West Classic.

It was the second straight surprising result of the day. Eighth-seeded Marion Bartoli overcame 10 double faults to beat fourth-seeded Serbian Jelena Jankovic, 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-3. It was Bartoli's fourth consecutive win over the former World No. 1. Bartoli, who beat Jankovic, 6-1, 6-4, in the Australian Open round of 16, raised her record to 5-3 against Jankovic. 

Bartoli, who was runner-up to Aleksandra Wozniak in last year's final, will play Stosur for a spot in her second straight Stanford final.

Williams is typically tough on second serves, but Stosur attacked Williams' second serve relentlessly. The Roland Garros semifinalist won 18 of the 26 points played on Williams' second serve and converted four of six break points to wrap up the one hour, 33-minute win.

The last time the pair met, Williams edged Stosur, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-5 in the opening round of Sydney in January. Williams went on to win the Australian Open then captured her 11th Grand Slam championship by dethroning defending champion Venus Williams in the second straight Wimbledon Williams' sisters final.

Stosur is an extremely fit player and appeared stronger over the final four games of the match. Williams had two break point chances at 2-all in the final set, but could not convert as Stosur reeled off four consecutive games to seal the victory.

Third-seeded Elena Dementieva dismissed Daniela Hantuchova, 6-2, 6-4. Dementieva will face either second-seeded Venus Williams or Maria Sharapova in Saturday's semifinals.