Pennetta sees off Venus in semis

Williams is hoping to end the year in the world's top eight

Wimbledon champion Venus Williams went out of the Bangkok Open with a straight-sets loss to Flavia Pennetta.

Italy's Pennetta held off a Williams fightback to win their semi 6-4 7-6 (10-8) and set up a final against Zi Yan of China or Taiwan's Chan Yung-jan.

The loss leaves Williams' place at the season-ending championships in Madrid for the world's top eight in doubt.

Meanwhile, Serena Williams beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-6 (7/2) 6-1 in the Kremlin Cup semis in Moscow.

She will play Elena Dementieva in the final after the Russian thrashed compatriot Dinara Safina 6-1 6-0.

606: DEBATE If Serena plays in the final the way she did today, I've a sneaky feeling that the final could be a one-sided affair! mikesiva

Venus Williams was magnanimous after the defeat by Pennetta.

"She played really well, she was eager," said the world number eight. "I made a lot of errors, a lot of mistakes. She did a good job of staying in the match.

"I wasn't surprised by her, she's capable of playing well."