Williams will be trying to retain her US Open title at the end of the month

Serena Williams breezed past Lucie Safarova in straight sets to reach the Rogers Cup semi-finals in Toronto.

Williams, the number two seed, needed just 57 minutes to wrap up a 6-3 6-2 victory over her Czech opponent.

The American will now face fourth seed Elena Dementieva, who beat Australian Samantha Stosur 6-7 (3-7) 6-1 6-3.

In the other half of the draw, unseeded Alisa Kleybanova upset fifth seed Jelena Jankovic 6-7 (8-6) 7-6 (9-7) 6-2 to book a meeting with Maria Sharapova.

Jankovic, winner of the Cincinnati title on Sunday, said she was tired after thunderstorms delayed her Thursday night match against Kim Clijsters.

"I didn't have much time to recover, and obviously I was tired," she said. "My body wasn't as fresh as when I played in Cincinnati."

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Sharapova, also unseeded, defeated 14th seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2 7-6 (7-5).

Williams, who beat Dementieva in an epic Wimbledon semi-final earlier this year, is looking forward to her clash with the Russian.

"It'll be a great match," said Williams. "She is a great player, and our last match was really insane. I love playing her."

Williams beat Dementieva 6-7 (7-4) 7-5 8-6 at the All England Club before going on to take the title with a straight-sets victory over her sister, Venus, in the final.

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