SAN DIEGO, California - Top seed Venus Williams has moved within one victory of her third successive Acura Classic title, destroying third seed Lindsay Davenport 6-2 6-1 in the semi-finals of the $750,000 (477,860 pounds) event on Saturday. The world number two will meet sixth seed Jelena Dokic in the final after the Yugoslav saved two match points on the way to overcoming popular Russian Anna Kournikova 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (7-2) 6-0 earlier in the day. Williams drew level 10-10 with Davenport in their head-to-head career series after easily handling her fellow American's serve and dominating their baseline exchanges. Davenport, playing in only her second tournament since undergoing knee surgery last January, only held serve twice in a one-sided semi-final.

"I went out there and tried to get every game for me," said Williams, 22, who has now beaten Davenport in nine of their last 11 matches. "It's not easy to come back and play at the same level. This time last year she was playing much better. You need time to put in your aces, more pace on the ball and get that extra ball back." Williams never let up on 26-year-old Davenport, bombing in first serves and stretching her opponent whenever she could. "When you feel you are not playing well and you can't do anything, you tend to press even more," said Davenport after the 59-minute contest. "It got worse and worse, just like a nightmare. I wasn't prepared to play at that level." Venus's father and coach Richard was vocal in his support. Early in the second set, as Davenport walked over to change rackets, he yelled: "You might as well go home". Williams Sr also frequently encouraged Venus with calls of: "This is your house". "Sometimes he does encourage me, especially if I'm not playing well," Venus said. "It's nice to have a cheerleader."

Davenport said she did not hear the comments of Williams Sr but did hear a fan yell out: "We want our money back". "What are you going to do?" Davenport said. "It was probably someone who has never taken a field or been in that position." Williams is attempting to become the first player to win the title three times in a row in the 19-year history of the tournament. Davenport said she was the favourite against Dokic. "Venus has a very, very good chance of winning," Davenport said. "Hopefully, Jelena will play better than I did. I think that Venus is going to win. "No offence to Jelena, she's going to have to play a great match." Dokic, who has only won one of four career meetings with the American, seemed to be lacking in confidence. "She presents all sort of problems for everyone," the Yugoslav said. "Serena (Williams) is the only one to beat her recently. "She (Venus) has the power and the speed. Maybe if she commits 50 or 60 unforced errors, I'll have a chance."