Serena Williams is one victory away from winning her fourth consecutive title this year - with the French Open only one week away.
The top-ranked American overcame an early break of her serve to roll past Romanian qualifier Simona Halep 6-3, 6-0 Saturday to reach the Italian Open final and extend her career-best winning run to 23 matches.
In Sunday's final, Williams will face either third-seeded Victoria Azarenka or seventh-seeded Sara Errani, who were up next on center court at the Foro Italico.
Williams' only title at this clay-court tournament came in 2002, when she beat Justine Henin in the final.
In the men's semifinals, six-time champion Rafael Nadal will face sixth-seeded Tomas Berdych and Roger Federer plays 36th-ranked Benoit Paire of France.