Serena shuts out lure of becoming world's best
Stephen Wood
Serena Williams insisted on Wednesday that the prospect of deposing sister Venus as world number one was not motivating her Wimbledon progress.
World number two Serena set up a semi-final meeting with Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo by beating 11th-seeded Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova 6-3 6-2 in the quarter-finals.
But she said afterwards: "I'm not thinking about the rankings.
"It means nothing to me at this stage -- because I still have to get there first.
"I have to win against Amelie and then I will still probably have to beat Venus (to get to world number one). It's tough and I'm just hoping I've two matches here to win the tournament."
Defending Wimbledon champion Venus faces Belgian Justine Henin in the other last four pairing, with both semi-finals scheduled for Thursday.
WTA Tour officials said they would confirm on Thursday what it would take for Serena to become world number one for the first time in her career.
It is likely that Serena would have to win the tournament -- perhaps denying Venus a third successive title in the process -- to become number one.
But WTA officials also suggested that Serena might be able to do enough to overhaul Venus even if she finished as runner-up.
Serena, 20, beat Venus in the French Open final at Roland Garros last month, and consulted notes at the changeovers against Hantuchova as her fine form continued.
"The notes are just to keep me focused because I sometimes tend to lose focus out there," said Serena.
"I often look around during changeovers so I need something to keep me concentrated ... I saw Venus do it a long time ago and I always copy her!"
A Wimbledon final between Serena and Venus would be the first all-sisters final at the championships since Maud Watson beat Lilian in 1884.
