TENNIS: Serena Williams will face Dinara Safina in the final of the Australian Open on Saturday after moving into her 13th grand slam showpiece by overcoming fourth seed Elena Dementieva 6-3 6-4 in today's semi-final.
Safina booked her place in the final by defeating fellow Russian Vera Zvonareva 6-3 7-6 (7/4) later in the day.
Williams, the second seed, will be chasing her 10th grand slam title and fourth Melbourne crown. Safina has yet to break her major duck while both will be contending for the number spot in the world rankings.
Dementieva was as much the cause of her downfall as Williams was. The Russian fourth seed served eight double faults, hit 28 unforced errors and just 18 winners compared to 27 from her opponent, who also fired down 10 aces.
Dementieva, playing in her first semi-final at the Australian Open and still looking for a maiden grand slam title, also became increasingly frustrated with herself, screaming when she made mistakes and berating herself, while at the other end Williams remained as cool as could be and took her opportunities when they came.
Both players struggled with their serve at times. Williams put herself under pressure in the first set by getting just 45 per cent of her first serves in, although when she did so she won the point 94 per cent of the time, while double faults by Dementieva in the second set cost her a break of serve from which she never recovered.
A solitary break of serve - in the eighth game - was enough for Williams to take the first set. Dementieva threatened a comeback when she moved into a 3-0 lead in the second but more serving yips allowed Williams to level at 3-3.
The American then gained the crucial break to lead 5-4, leaving her serving for a place in the final. An ace brought up match point before she smashed the match-winner into the open court.
The defeat was the first of the season for Dementieva, who saw her 15-match winning streak come to an end.
In the second semi, underdog Safina emerged triumphant with an impressive display.
The 22-year-old had battled her way through to the last four - in contrast to Zvonareva whose form had been impressive and she came into the match having
not dropped a set since her arrival in Melbourne.
However, Safina soon set about changing that and three breaks of serve in the opening set saw her gain control. Zvonareva fought back in the second set but couldn't take her chance to force a decider.
She served for the set at 6-5 but was broken back to love. Safina, who also reached last year's French Open final, was never headed in the resultant tie-break and closed the match out with a cross-court forehand winner.
If she wins Saturday's clash with Williams, Safina will join brother Marat Safin as both an Australian Open winner and a one-time top-ranked player.
Serena is also through to the final of the women's doubles at Melbourne Park.
Williams and sister Venus crushed Casey Dellacqua and Francesca Schiavone 6-0 6-2 in their semi-final and will now play ninth seeds Daniela Hantuchova and Ai Sugiyama.