Second-seeded Serena Williams recovered from a match point down to beat fourth seed Elena Dementieva of Russia 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 8-6 in a nail- biting semi-final at Wimbledon yesterday.She will face her sister Venus or Russian top seed Dinara Safina in tomorrow's final.
In a tournament where spectacular tennis has been conspicuous by its absence from the women's draw, the two produced a semi-final worthy of the name with a riveting display of power- hitting from the baseline and wily court craft.
Both players got off to a nervous start, each losing their opening service games, before Dementieva became the first player to take a set off the American at the All England Club this year by winning the tiebreak 7-4.
Serena levelled the match when a series of aces got her out of trouble when serving at 6-5 in the second before Dementieva, the Olympic singles champion, broke to lead 3-1 in the decider.
The Russian missed match point when a slight netcord helped a Williams volley into play.
The American then broke to lead 7-6 and duly held serve to book a place in her fifth final.
The outcome left Dementieva, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, still looking for her first Major title.
REUTERS
Day 10 results: Page 47
