Serena struggles, Elena cruises through to final of Sydney

For one it was a battle and for one it was a breeze, but in the end Serena Williams and Elena Dementieva set up the latest chapter in their back-and-forth rivalry, making it past their semifinal foes in Sydney.

Williams was the first to advance to the final but it was a tough battle from the start, as she battled from 63 52 down - even coming within two points of losing in that and the following game - to edge the hard-hitting Aravane Rezai in exactly two hours, 36 75 64. Highlights: S.Williams vs. Rezai

"I was lucky to get through today," Williams said. "I was trying to play my game and do the best I could, but I didn't do so well. I don't know how many errors I hit today. I thought she did really well. I had to lift my game when I was down, otherwise I'd be headed to Melbourne." Interview: Serena Williams

"It's always difficult to play against the world No.1, especially Serena. She has a lot of experience and has had great wins in the Grand Slams," Rezai said. "But I'm not intimidated. I play my game because I want to win. Tennis is always up and down. I'll have to learn to fight more. I need more experience."

Dementieva, the No.5 seed, followed No.1 seed Williams into the final with a 63 61 win over No.6 seed Victoria Azarenka. Azarenka had won all three of her week's previous matches 7-5 in the third set - her well finally went dry against an in-form Dementieva. Highlights: Dementieva vs. Azarenka

Williams leads Dementieva in their head-to-head, 7-4, but it can be misleading - Williams was 4-0 in their first four meetings, all in 2003 and 2004; in their last seven meetings, between 2007 and 2009, Dementieva leads, 4-3.

"Playing Serena in a final is completely different than playing her in the early rounds," Dementieva said. "It's a different match and a different Serena every year, so I just need to play my best. She looks like she's in very good shape. It's going to be a tough battle." Interview: Elena Dementieva

Dementieva is also the defending champion in Sydney and extended her winning streak to nine matches. One of those wins, in last year's semifinals, came over Williams - and in handy fashion too: 63 61.


Thursday, January 14, 2010

Singles - Semifinals
(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. Aravane Rezai (FRA) 36 75 64
(5) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. (6) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 63 61