Tennis-Open-Serena uses tips from Venus to reach U.S. final

By Larry Fine

NEW YORK, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Serena Williams applied some coaching tips from older sister Venus in her 6-3 6-2 thumping of sixth-seeded Dinara Safina on Friday that put the American into the finals of the U.S. Open.

"She gave me a lot of advice for this match," the 26-year-old Serena said about Venus, who cheered her on from the players' box. "She gave me a lot of advice in what to do and how to play.

"Venus is a really smart player. She's an extremely smart player. She knows how to read people very well. She gave me some advice on what to do and how to play and what to expect."

Serena did not have to fight nearly as hard as she had in her quarter-final slugfest against Venus that was decided in two tiebreaker sets.

"I feel that Venus is my toughest opponent ever. You know, nothing against Dinara, I think she's been playing really incredible.

"But I just think Venus is just an amazing player. I feel like Venus was playing the best in this tournament."

Fourth seed Serena's triumph over Safina in gusting winds at Arthur Ashe Stadium put her into the U.S. final for the first time since 2002, when she won her second Open crown.

The eight-times slam winner will be the first American in the women's final since then and a championship victory against second seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia would give Serena the number one ranking again for the first time in five years.