Serena, Dinara advance to final of Aussie Open

No. 2 seed Serena Williams and No. 3 seed Dinara safina were the players who advanced to the Australian Open final, after they both won their matches in easy straight sets.

Williams had to defeat No. 4 seed Elena Dementieva to achieve a spot in the final, and she did, winning with a score of 63 64.

"I wanted to play better than the last few times I played her," said Williams, the second seed this fortnight, said. "I was really calm today. I felt like I wanted to stay calm and stay focused more than anything. It was a good match."

"She was very powerful today," said Dementieva, the fourth seed. "I wasn't as aggressive as I needed to be. I wasn't playing deep enough, which allowed her to be aggressive and ditcate. She was very focused. We had a good match."

On the other half of the draw, Safina faced compatriot No. 7 seed Vera Zvonareva, as both players were going for their first Aussie Open final, and Safina was victorious after a 63 76(4) win.

"I was more aggressive today than previous matches," said Safina, who had been heavily critical of herself after matches earlier in the tournament. "I think the first set was perfect. In the second set I had some chances where I could have been a little more aggressive, but I played a very good game down 6-5 on her serve and then played a solid tie-break. I'm very pleased with how I played today."

"It was my first Grand Slam semifinal, so I should be satisfied," Zvonareva said. "There are so many things I wish I could have done in this match though. I felt the level of tennis I was able to show in my previous matches was much, much better. But right now I'm looking forward to the next tournament."

In doubles, No. 10 Serena and older sister Venus reached the finals, after they won to No. 12 seed Casey Dellacqua and Francesca Schiavone in easy straight sets, 60 62. They will now face No. 9 seed Daniela Hantuchova and Ai Sugiyama, who won to Nathalie Dechy and Mara Santangelo 64 63, in the final.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Singles - Semifinals

(2) Serena Williams (USA) d. (4) Elena Dementieva (RUS) 63 64

(3) Dinara Safina (RUS) d. (7) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 63 76(4)