Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova advance to Cincinnati semis

World number one Serena Williams advanced to the Cincinnati semifinals after defeating eight seed Jelena Jankovic with straight sets in the last eight.

The American, who remains on track for a first Cincinnati title, won 6-1, 6-3 to set up a semifinal round against Caroline Wozniacki, who defeated fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), The BBC reported.

World number two Simona Halep faced Maria Sharapova in a rematch of the French Open final later on Friday, where the Russian tennis ace fought back from a set to beat the Romanian 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Sharapova will now face Serb Ana Ivanovic, who defeated Ukraine's Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-3, in the Cincinnati semifinals, the report added.