Serena Williams reaches Bank of the West Classic final

Serena Williams has progressed to the final of the Bank of the West Classic after a 6-1 6-2 victory over Sabine Lisicki.

The 29-year-old is currently ranked 169 in the world following a year of health problems and injury.

However, the American has returned to form in the competition at Stanford University, beating Maria Sharapova to reach the semi-finals before defeating Lisicki.

Williams will now face French third seed Marion Bartoli in the final.