Serena Williams is through to the semifinals of the Rogers Cup in Toronto after a gutsy performance against the Czech left-hander Lucie Safarova on Friday.
In only her fourth tournament this year, Williams won in three sets 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
"It was more or less about taking my game to a higher level and not remaining on the same platform," Williams said, wtatennis.com reported.
"Lefties are different too, and it took getting used to. I hadn't played Lucie in a long time. I forgot how she plays, and she's a great player and doing so well. Once I got used to it, it was better," Williams added, wtatennis.com reported.
The victory sets up a clash with fourth seed Victoria Azarenka who beat Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan 6-1, 6-2.
In Saturday's other semi-final, Australia's Sam Stosur will play Agnieszka Radwanska from Poland.
Tenth-seed Stosur defeated Italy's Roberta Vinci -- who beat both Caroline Wozniacki and Ana Ivanovic earlier in the tournament - 6-4, 6-1.
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Meanwhile, 13th seed Radwanska overcame Germany's Andrea Petkovic 6-4, 6-3.
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