The biggest mistake at any Wimbledon is to forget about the Williams sisters.

One of them, Serena, has departed but the older of the two, Venus, is looking ominously like a women intent on reclaiming the title she won in 2000 and 2001.

Her 6- 0, 7- 6 ( 12- 10) quarter-final demolition of Mary Pierce on Centre Court yesterday was a timely reminder of how class and power can override even a lack of interest.

There was a time when Venus was deemed to be bored of tennis, had achieved too much too soon, and was looking elsewhere for stimulation. But that perception appeared ridiculous yesterday. Certainly Pierce would disagree with talk that Venus, the No 14 seed, was finished with tennis.

For sure, the second set was closer than the first set - the tiebreak was tighter than the rest of the match - but at no point did Pierce look capable of reaching the semi- finals. Venus was always going to win. The only issue at stake was how much of an inconvenience Pierce would be. Actually, the inconvenience lasted longer than expected, but just long enough for us to appreciate the Venus Williams game.

If there was a surprise it was that Pierce, representing France, reached the quarterfinals. She might smile more than she used to but she is way past her peak. Her achievement here was making the second set exciting after the embarrassment of the first set.

Pierce's problem was that, while her baseline strokes were often competent, her power did not match the force of Williams' game. It seemed that the longer the rally, the more chance that Williams had of winning the point.

Even in the tiebreak, when Pierce had set point on her own serve, there was never a feeling that the match would go into a final set.

Venus has, for the past three years, been criticised for being past her peak but such talk will appear churlish if, as is becoming more probable, she wins the women's singles title on Saturday. Fitness allowing, she is, along with Serena, still one of the top two players in the world.

The hope that she will win her third title ensures that her father, Richard, can walk around the grounds here with that unique smile. He might have oddest dress sense - yesterday his shorts barely covered his manhood - but his presence means that at least one of his daughters has a chance of adding to the family wealth.

"I haven't exceeded my expectations by reaching the semi-finals, even though I am only the No 14 seed," Williams said. "I have been in many semi-finals before so I know what is required. I have a lot of experience at this level so, while I am happy, it has not taken me by surprise.

"Against Mary, I felt like I had the advantage, of course, with experience. Of course, having watched the whole last match, I saw a lot of things. And as the tournament progresses, I would love to try to raise my level each time."

Williams next faces Russia's Maria Sharapova, the defending champion, who has yet to feel the weight of expectation. Williams has been there before.

"I don't care who I play," Williams said. "What is important is that I keep improving, keep doing what is necessary to remain in the tournament. I am in the last four now and I will take each opponent as she comes. I don't really care who I play. All that matters as that I am still in the tournament, still in with a chance of winning."

Williams can be forgiven for speaking in cliches because, as she said, she has done it all before. She no longer has anything to prove to anybody, not even herself, and she seems genuinely excited to be here.

That might be because she sees her career as drawing to a close. It might be because of the injuries that have taken their toll. Or it might be because, at 25, she better appreciates what she has achieved.

Just as importantly, she is finally emerging from the shadow of her more talented but less powerful sister.

Williams versus Sharapova could easily have been the final and will surely be the finest match of these women's singles. In one sense, it is the past against the future, but Williams proved that she has some hope of going back to the future all by herself.