Venus Williams beats Vinci in semis of WTA Elite Trophy

ZHUHAI, China (AP) - Top-seeded Venus Williams overpowered Roberta Vinci 6-2, 6-2 on Saturday to advance to the final of the WTA Elite Trophy.

Williams will face Karolina Pliskova in Sunday's final after the third-seeded Czech beat eighth-seeded Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-1.

Williams broke serve six times to dispatch the fourth-seeded Italian in just 65 minutes.

"Today wasn't an easy match," Williams said. "Every game was really well-contested and she never gave me any points. She's had a great year; I felt like I really earned it today."

The tournament brings together 11 of the top players who did not qualify for last week's WTA Finals in Singapore.

Williams also beat Vinci in the semifinals of the Wuhan Open one month ago.

"China's been good to me this year," Williams said. "I played well in Wuhan, and now another final here in Zhuhai, and I hope I can win one more match. It won't be easy. I'm looking forward to it."

Vinci defeated Serena Williams in the semifinals of the U.S. Open, denying the younger Williams the chance for a calendar-year Grand Slam.

Williams improved to 5-0 for her career against Vinci and recorded her 40th match win of the year - a milestone she hasn't achieved since 2008.

If Williams wins the title on Sunday she will return to the top 10 for the first time in more than four years.