Indian Wells: Serena Williams' return gathers momentum as greater aggression proves decisive

Williams is competing at the event for first time in 14 years

Serena Williams stretches to make a return during her win over Timea Bacsinszky (AP)

Serena Williams is within two victories of completing a remarkable comeback at Indian Wells, where she is competing for the first time in 14 years.

The 33-year-old American, who decided last month to end her boycott of the Californian tournament, claimed her 15th successive victory when she beat Timea Bacsinszky 7-5, 6-3 to earn a semi-final showdown today with Simona Halep.

Williams last played here in 2001, when the crowd booed her in the final and racially abused her father, Richard, and sister, Venus, who were watching in the stands. Spectators had been unhappy when Venus withdrew from her scheduled semi-final against her sister because of injury.

The 25-year-old Swiss Bacsinszky was herself looking for a 16th win in a row when she faced the world No 1, having won back-to-back titles in Acapulco and Monterrey. Williams was broken in the opening game and Bacsinszky led 3-1 before the American started to find her form. Her greater aggression proved decisive as she hit 23 winners to Bacsinszky’s 11.

Halep came from behind to beat Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro 5-7, 6-1, 6-1. The latter made a fine start, winning the first four games. Halep levelled at 4-4, but Suarez Navarro turned on the pressure again to take the first set. In the second and third, though, Halep took control.