Tennis: Serena Williams reaches Italian Open final

AP, Saturday 18 May 2013

Williams will face either third-seeded Victoria Azarenka or seventh-seeded Sara Errani in Sunday's final

 Serena Williams
Serena Williams of the U.S. serves to Simona Halep of Romania during their women's singles semi-final match at the Rome Masters tennis tournament May 18, 2013 (Photo: Reuters)

A week out from the French Open, Serena Williams is one victory away from winning her fourth consecutive title this year.

The top-ranked American overcame an early break of her serve to roll past Romanian qualifier Simona Halep 6-3, 6-0 Saturday and reach the Italian Open final, extending her career-best winning streak to 23 matches.

In Sunday's final, Williams will face either third-seeded Victoria Azarenka or seventh-seeded Sara Errani, who were up next on center court at the Foro Italico.

Williams' only title at this clay-court tournament came when she beat Justine Henin in the 2002 final.

In the men's semifinals, six-time champion Rafael Nadal will face sixth-seeded Tomas Berdych and Roger Federer plays 36th-ranked Benoit Paire of France.

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