SYDNEY(AP) Top-ranked Serena Williams rallied from a set and 5-2 down to beat France's Avarane Rezai 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 and reach the final of the Sydney International on Thursday.
Rezai was serving for the match at 5-3 in the second set before reigning Australian Open champion Williams rallied to win five straight games to level the match and go a break up in the third.
Rezai recovered breaks in the first and seventh games of the third set but Williams broke her to lead 5-4 and then served it out.
Williams, winner of 11 Grand Slam singles titles, will play Friday against the winner of the other semifinal between Olympic champion Elena Dementieva and sixth-seeded Victoria Azarenka.
The Australian Open starts Monday in Melbourne.