By Chris Oddo | Friday, May 16, 2014

 

Ahead of her heavily anticipated semifinal clash with Ana Ivanovic in Rome, Serena Williams says it isn't quite revenge that she seeks.

Photo Source: AP

After dispatching China's Zhang Shuai, 6-1, 6-3, to set up a semifinal clash with red-hot Ana Ivanovic at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome, Serena Williams says it isn't exactly revenge that she's looking for when it comes to playing the player who unceremoniously bounced her from the round of 16 at the Australian Open this year.

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"Whenever you play someone you lose to you're not necessarily thinking about revenge, you're thinking, 'I really want to win because they beat me last time,'" Williams told WTAtour.com. "It's more motivation than anything, because last time they got the best of you, and you want to show them you can play too.

"So I won't necessarily be going for revenge tomorrow, I'll be going for the match."

Williams, who still owns a 4-1 career head-to-head record against the Serb, has not lost a set in Rome since 2012, a span that includes last year's title and 21 consecutive sets.

Ivanovic, who could return to the top ten for the first time since 2009 if she wins the title in Rome, knows she's the underdog even if clay isn't generally known as Williams' best surface. "She has won a lot of tournaments on clay and she plays very well on every surface,” Ivanovic said. “She has done a lot for women's tennis. It's always challenging to face such a good player."