Williams sets up Bartolli final

Serena Williams continued her stroll through the Bank of the West Classic as she beat Germany’s Sabine Lisicki to book her place in the final against third seed Marion Bartoli of France.

The American, down to 169 in the world following a year of injury and health problems, dismantled Maria Sharapova to reach the semi-finals and was equally dominant today as she claimed a 6-1 6-2 win.

She will next face Bartoli, who was gifted her path through tot he final when Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova withdrew from their semi-final because of an abdominal injury.

The match will give Williams the chance to gain revenge for the defeat inflicted on her by Bartoli at Wimbledon earlier this year.