Williams sisters reach semifinals

Venus and Serena Williams won their quarterfinal matches at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami Wednesday, setting up a family duel in the semis.

Serena, a five-time winner of this tournament, rallied to defeat Li Na 4-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-2. Venus, a champion in this event three times, recorded a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Iveta Benesova in a match that lasted only 70 minutes.

The sisters have met 19 times in their careers, with Venus holding a 10-9 edge.

Li captured the first five games in her match with Serena, but committed 45 unforced errors. Serena is ranked No. 1 in the world, but must defeat her sister in the semifinals to maintain that ranking.

The other semifinal will send Sevetlana Kuznetsova against Victoria Azarenka. Kuznetsova won the Sony Ericsson Open in 2006.