Safina was the first of the two to adavnce, as she won her match in tough straight sets to Ai Sugiyama, 64 76(3).
"I played a solid game when she served for the second set at 5-4, then I played a solid tie-break too," Safina stated. "It was so hot; that's not an excuse though, because it's the same for us both. But I still don't feel I was playing my best, and it shows I've improved enough that I can play at 50% and still reach the finals."
Safina's compatriot Dementieva followed with her win to Top seed Serena Williams in easy straight sets, 63 61, in just 68 minutes.
"I'm really excited to be in the final here for the first time; it's going to be my second final of the year, so that's great," said Dementieva, who won the title in Auckland last week. "I realize it's going to be tough against Dinara tomorrow."
"I gave it away more than anything," said Williams, who denied injury or fatigue played a factor in the loss to the in-form Russian. "I made a lot of errors and made her look like a champ, really. I just pretty much gave her the match."
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Singles - Semifinals
(3) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. (1) Serena Williams (USA) 63 61
(2) Dinara Safina (RUS) d. Ai Sugiyama (JPN) 64 76(3)
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