INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Fifteen years after she last won here in front of a virulently hostile crowd, Serena Williams booked a spot in the final of the BNP Paribas Open, beating Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-4, 7-6 (1), in a semifinal match Friday evening.
Williams, who skipped this event 13 times after the abrasive treatment she and her family received during her win in the 2001 final, returned last year but withdrew before her semifinal match, citing knee problems.
“Definitely didn’t think I would be in another final here, ever,” Williams said. “Then, last year — just really, really bad luck.