By Erik Gudris | Friday, January 9, 2015

 

Venus Williams returned to the ASB Classic final where she will face top seed Caroline Wozniacki.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Dreams do come true. In this case, for tournament organizers of the ASB Classic and New Zealand tennis fans who got the marquee final they hoped for.

When the draw was cast for the WTA event in Auckland, many wished that Caroline Wozniacki and Venus Williams would face off in the final. Now they will after both won their Friday semifinal matches.

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Top seed Wozniacki took on No. 4 seed Barbora Zahlavova Strycova in the first semifinal. Zahlavova Strycova, using a good mix of potent serving and effective net play, constructed a 6-4, 2-0 lead.

Yet Wozniacki worked her way back into the match before securing a hard-fought 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win in two hours and 35 minutes.

"We were out there for a long time, but I knew the longer we went I wouldn't really feel tired. I was still feeling fine at the end of the match," Wozniacki said to WTA.com. "But I'm definitely just happy to get through this one today.

Williams, who has yet to drop a set all week, engaged in an-all American semifinal with Lauren Davis. The younger American, playing in her first WTA semifinal, found herself overwhelmed right from the start.

Using her trademark power, the 34-year-old Williams ran away with the opening set 6-0. Though Davis battled early in the second set to earn a break lead, it soon evaporated.

Williams once again found her range from all sides of the court. With big serving, razor sharp volleys and a final backhand winner, the veteran won 6-0, 6-3.

"First set felt perfect," Williams said after the win. "Before I knew it she was up 2-1. She did that a lot in her previous matches so didn't want that to happen to me," Williams added who was happy to win in straights.

Williams, who lost in last year's final to Ana Ivanovic, will now seek the title at the event where she has been welcomed with warm affection by the Auckland crowds. Williams leads the overall head to head against Wozniacki 5-0 with their last meeting in the 2014 Dubai semifinals.