DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Venus Williams closed in on a semifinal match against younger sister Serena by beating defending champion Elena Dementieva 6-3, 6-3 today in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championship.

Venus raced to a 3-0 lead in the first set, and in the second broke her opponent again when the fourth-seeded Russian double-faulted in the seventh game.

"She has been playing great this year and she is a great player," Venus said. "She likes to control the match, and I also like doing the same. So, I am pleased that I was able to do that."

Serena can reach the semifinals later today at the Aviation Club if she beats eighth-seeded Ana Ivanovic.

"I definitely prefer playing against Serena, but whoever I play, I will go out there and play to the best of my ability," said Venus, who won her fifth Wimbledon title last year.

In other matches today, Virginie Razzano of France upset fifth-seeded Vera Zvonareva of Russia 7-6 (7), 7-5, and 16th-seeded Kaia Kanepi of Estonia beat Russian qualifier Elena Vesnina 6-3, 7-5.

Kanepi, who eliminated third-seeded Jelena Jankovic in the third round, has twice reached a WTA Tour final but has yet to win.

"It was difficult to play her as she hit some very uncomfortable shots for me, very low balls," Kanepi said. "I was rushing a bit, but I am glad I pulled it off. I think it is very possible that I can reach the final. But I am taking it one match at a time, so we'll see."

The Dubai Tennis Championship attracted nine of the WTA Tour's top 10 players, but has been overshadowed by the refusal of organizers to allow Israeli player Shahar Peer into the country. The organizers said they feared fan anger over Israel's recent military offensive in the Gaza Strip would spill into riots in the Arab country if Peer were to play.