2012 Bank Of The West Classic: Serena Williams Advances To Semifinals

Serena Williams is one step closer to defending her Bank of the West Classic title after she advanced to the semifinals on Friday.

Williams, fresh off her fifth career Wimbledon title, defeated Chanelle Scheepers in straight sets during day 5. The two battled in the first set with Williams ultimately prevailing 6-4. She then cruised in the second set, winning 6-0 to advance.

Williams will face No. 9 seed Sorana Cirstea in the semifinals on Saturday. Cirstea advanced to the semifinals by beatting No. 3 seed Dominika Cibulkova 6-7, 6-2, 6-0. On the other side of the bracket, No. 5 seed Yanina Wickmayer and Coco Vandeweghe also advanced to the semifinals on Friday. Vandeweghe defeated Urszula Radwanska 6-4, 6-4. Wickmayer moved on by defeating No. 2 seed Marion Bartoli 6-3, 6-2.

You can find a full scoreboard of the 2012 Bank of the West Classic courtesy of SI.com.

For complete updates on the Bank of the West Classic, stay tuned to this StoryStream. For all news and information regarding the world of professional tennis, please stay tuned to SB Nation’s dedicated tennis hub.