Sports briefs: Serena Williams routs Venus

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tennis • Serena Williams routed Venus Williams 6-1, 6-2 at the Family Circle Cup on Saturday in Charleston, S.C., the most one-sided match in the sisters' rivalry. Serena will defend her tournament title Sunday against Jelena Jankovic, who beat Stefanie Voegele 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 in the other semifinal. This was the first time since 2009 that the Williams sisters met in a tournament. Serena has won five straight in their series and leads 14-10.

Verranzo storms toward Derby

Horse racing • Verrazano won the $1 million Wood Memorial in New York in a close finish to remain unbeaten and stamp himself a favorite for the Kentucky Derby. Verrazano held off the challenges of Vyjack and Normandy Invasion for his fourth victory in a row. The 11⁄8-mile Wood is a final prep race before the Derby on May 4, when the 3-year-old colt will try to give trainer Todd Pletcher his second Derby win.

From wire reports