Venus joins sister in semis

Seles ousted by Williams, 6-2, 6-3, at U.S. Open

? Leave it to Venus Williams to reduce a U.S. Open quarterfinal against Monica Seles to something akin to a practice session.

How about a handful of aces at more than 110 mph? OK. A slew of forehand winners? Sure. Some sure-handed volleying? Not a problem.

The two-time defending champion simply had too much in every department and beat Seles 6-2, 6-3 Wednesday night to join younger sister Serena in the semifinals, putting each one victory away from a third consecutive all-Williams Grand Slam title match.

Venus, trying to become the first woman to win three straight U.S. Opens since Chris Evert took four in a row from 1975-78, plays 10th-seeded Amelie Mauresmo next. Mauresmo beat Jennifer Capriati 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3.

“I don’t think Monica played her best today. I know she was expecting to play better,” Venus said. “Being so windy out here made it more difficult.”

The other women’s semifinal will have top-seeded Serena who lost to Venus in the 2001 Open final and beat her for the titles at the French Open and Wimbledon this year against Lindsay Davenport.

Lleyton Hewitt reached the final four by beating No. 20 Younes El Aynaoui of Morocco 6-1, 7-6 (6), 4-6, 6-2 Wednesday.

Hewitt’s semifinal opponent will be two-time U.s. Open champion Andre Agassi who beat No. 32 Max Mirnyi of Belarus 6-7 (5), 6-3, 7-5, 6-3.