Venus deals with Dementieva threat

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Williams blasted through the opening set of the first semi-final for the loss of just one game but was made to fight all the way in the second before sealing a 6-1 7-6 (7/3) victory.

The four-time champion will face sister Serena in Saturday's final.

Williams broke Dementieva's fragile serve twice in the opening three games and the Russian had to save two more break points to finally get on the scoreboard after an 11-minute fifth game.

That was greeted with a loud cheer by a crowd obviously keen to see more of a contest, but Dementieva committed more unforced errors to lose her serve to love and give Williams the set after 38 minutes.

Dementieva lost her serve once more early in the second set, looking pleadingly for help to her mother and coach, Vera, in the players' box.

Williams was unable to consolidate though, saving one break point with an ace at 125mph only to lose the next point as Dementieva enjoyed a slice of luck with a decisive net cord.

Surprisingly there were no further breaks and a tie-break was required to decide the set, Dementieva making the first error with a double-fault to trail 2-1.

Williams instantly returned the favour and then sprayed a forehand wide, only for Dementieva to commit two unforced errors as five points in a row went against the serve.

The world number five then let out a piercing scream as she dumped another forehand into the net and an overhit backhand gave Williams three match points. The four-time champion sealed the win with another deep forehand to complete a 6-1 7-6 (7/3) success in one hour and 42 minutes.