Serena Williams vs. Sara Errani: Score and Reaction from 2015 French Open

Top seed Serena Williams eased her way through to the French Open semi-final on Wednesday as she crushed Italy's Sara Errani 6-1, 6-3 on Court Philippe-Chatrier.  

It was a dominant display from the two-time Paris winner, who is a heavy favourite for a third victory, especially following Maria Sharapova's fourth-round exit.

Errani put in a spirited performance and often had Williams in trouble with some terrific returning forehands, but the world No. 1's complete dominance on the 17th seed's serve proved key.

The Guardian confirmed the result, while Roland Garros provided a post-match statement from Williams:

Having started slowly in her previous three rounds at Roland Garros, Williams came flying out of the blocks on Wednesday.

She broke Errani to love for a 2-0 lead in the first set, and she looked as though she may be set for a double-quick victory over her Italian opponent.

However, Errani showed admirable determination to break straight back. Her relatively meek serve always looked set to be a problem, though, against the immense power of her 33-year-old opponent, per SB Nation's Dan Rubenstein:

"

Errani’s serving up beach balls to Serena, who’s demolishing them. How the hell do you get this far at Roland Garros with this serve?

— Dan Rubenstein (@DanRubenstein) June 3, 2015"

Williams' ability to return serve with interest saw her break back for 3-1, and the American then held for 4-1, although she conceded more break points.

Another break for Williams allowed her to then serve out for the first set, seeing her on the way to victory in no time, per BBC Tennis:

Errani finally won a game on her serve to lead 1-0 in the second set, but there was to be no early break this time as Williams showed great power and touch around the court.

A beautifully weighted drop shot in the second game of the second set was representative of Williams' dominance, with Errani having been pushed so far back in the court in response to Williams' groundstrokes.

A more composed Errani put up much more of a fight in the second set on her own serve, whipping some beautiful forehand winners to keep pace with Williams.

However, Williams seemed to decide she had enough in the seventh game of the second set. She creamed a backhand cross-court winner, followed by two immense forehands, to set up two break points. The 2013 champion duly took the first for a 4-3 lead.

A wonderful backhand lob and a second-serve ace from Williams consolidated the lead for 5-3, and another break of serve, courtesy of brutal returning, completed an easy victory in 66 minutes.

Williams will face Timea Bacsinszky in the last four after the Swiss player beat Alison van Uytvanck in her quarter-final, and the American will be the strong favourite to advance to the final.