Venus hoping to play in 'all-Williams' final clash at Dubai Open

American tennis ace Venus Williams has said that it would be fantastic if she plays against her younger sister Serena in the finals of the Dubai Open following her third straight sets win that earned her a place in the semi-finals of the tournament.

Continuing to raise hopes of a return to the top echelons with her third straight sets win in a row, the seven-time Grand Slam champion defeated Italian Flavia Pennetta 6-4, 7-5 with a mixed performance which included a slow start and a tense finish but some typically powerful ground stroking during the guts of the match.

According to Sport24, the elder Williams sister said that it would be 'fantastic' if she plays in an all-Williams final at Dubai, although she added that both of them have to reach the stage before that happens.

An all-Williams final last happened five years ago in the WTA Championships in Doha when Serena won.

The report mentioned that the victory followed Venus' impressive conquests of Ana Ivanovic and Elena Vesnina and increased her chances of regaining a title she captured last time she was at Dubai five years ago.

Williams looks certain to climb from outside the top 40 back up to the mid-thirties with her recent progress, and she said that with the help of prayer and family support, along with practice, she has managed to get back from her illness and fitness problems, the report added.