CINCINNATI, July 23: Serena Williams's impressive return from injury ended when she lost 6-2, 6-3 to Russian Vera Zvonareva in the Cincinnati Open semi-finals on Saturday.

Former world number one Williams, playing her first tournament in six months due to a chronic knee injury, ran out of steam against the unseeded Zvonareva, ranked 50th in the world.

In Saturday's other semi-final, fourth-seeded Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia upset defending champion Patty Schnyder of Switzerland 4-6, 6-3, 7-6.

Zvonareva won the first five games of the match and broke Williams early in the second set to take complete control. The players traded break points twice during the rest of the set but the Russian finished off the match in the ninth game.

It will be the second final appearance in three years at this event for Zvonareva, who lost in 2004 to Lindsay Davenport.

Schnyder, the top seed, double-faulted twice during the tie-breaker, including on match point.

Ranked 26th in the world, Srebotnik reached her first final since September.

Saturday’s results:

Semi-finals: Vera Zvonareva (Russia) beat Serena Williams (US) 6-2, 6-3; 4-Katarina Srebotnik (Slovenia) beat 1-Patty Schnyder (Switzerland) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6).

BLAKE, RODDUCK IN FINAL

INDIANAPOLIS: James Blake fought his way into the Indianapolis International Championship final against fellow American Andy Roddick with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 win over Xavier Malisse on Saturday.Blake will move to a career-high fifth in the ATP rankings after beating the Belgian.

Former world number one Roddick reached his first final in 2006 with a 7-5, 6-3 victory against compatriot Robby Ginepri.

Roddick will be hoping to win his first trophy since Lyon last October. He holds a 6-1 record over Blake, his poker-playing partner.

Blake weathered the storm against Malisse as the Belgian levelled at a set apiece before the American regained control in the third set.

Roddick needed just 66 minutes to claim his sixth win in seven ATP meetings against Ginepri, who he first played aged 12.

Twice former champion Roddick dominated on serve, with Ginepri praising the effort as the best he has ever faced from his friend.

Roddick never faced a break point, fired eight aces and notched 21 winners against defending champion Ginepri.

Results:

Semi-finals: 1-James Blake (US) beat 9-Xavier Malisse (Belgium) 6-3, 2-6, 6-1; 2-Andy Roddick (US) beat 4-Robby Ginepri (US) 7-5, 6-3.—Reuters