Williams, trying to hone her claycourt skills before the French Open later this month, is gunning for her second title of the year on the WTA Tour. She has reached a semifinal for the fifth time, but her only victory came in the Ericcson Open last month.

Elia was no match for the stronger and more athletic Williams, who won the event in 1999.

Williams' opponent in the semifinals will be Jelena Dokic of Yugoslavia, who upset No. 4 seed Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario of Spain, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2.