WIMBLEDON, England(AP) One of the two Russian semifinalists at Wimbledon failed to convert a match point Thursday. The other struggled to even win a point in her match.
Neither will be playing in Saturday's final.
Elena Dementieva came close, though, getting within a point of beating one half of the Williams sisters, Serena, before losing 6-7 (4), 7-5, 8-6 on Centre Court.
The only regret I have: Maybe I should take a little bit more risk on match point, should go down the line,'' said Dementieva, who led 5-4 in the third set but watched Serena return her passing attempt with a backhand volley winner.I'm disappointed with the shot because I'm very surprised I didn't go down the line.''
In the other semifinal, Venus Williams routed top-ranked Dinara Safina 6-1, 6-0, setting up a fourth Wimbledon final between the American sisters. Serena beat her older sibling to win the title at the All England Club in 2002 and '03, but Venus defeated her sister in last year's final to win her fifth Venus Rosewater Dish.
Serena nearly missed out on Saturday's Fourth of July party at the All England Club, but her serve came through even when her forehand wasn't working at its best.
You know, I wasn't sure if it's Serena or Andy Roddick on the other side,'' Dementieva said of Serena's serve, which produced 20 aces in the match.Even with that I was able to break her a couple of times and I was in the lead in the third set. Like I said, she's a fighter.''
The match, pitting 10-time Grand Slam champion Serena against two-time major finalist Dementieva, produced some of the most exciting tennis of this year's tournament, though Serena was far from playing her most scintillating tennis.
My forehand didn't show up today. I think (she) went to Hawaii,'' Serena said.But I've called. ... Hopefully she'll be back.''
Venus had a much easier time on Centre Court, winning the first nine points and saving the only break point she faced. Safina, who lost in the Australian Open and French Open finals this year, won only 20 points all match.
She's just too good on grass,'' said Safina, who lost to Serena in the Australian Open final.It's not my favorite surface and it's her favorite surface.''
Safina is half of another successful sibling duo. She and older brother Marat Safin, a two-time Grand Slam champion, are the only brother-sister combination to have been ranked No. 1 in professional tennis.
Venus' win was the most lopsided women's Wimbledon semifinal result since Billie Jean King beat Rosie Casals by the same score in 1969.
The score just showed my level of play,'' Venus said.I was just dictating on every point.''
That fact wasn't lost on the 23-year-old Russian.
``I think she gave me a pretty good lesson today,'' Safina said.
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PATRIOTISM: Now that Serena and Venus Williams have earned their places in the Wimbledon final, they're rooting for another American to make the men's championship.
Andy Roddick of the United States plays Andy Murray of Britain on Friday for a spot in Sunday's final.
Nothing against Andy Murray, but I'm just rooting for the American,'' Serena said after beating Elena Dementieva 6-7 (4), 7-5, 8-6.I really, really want him to do well.''
Roddick, who lost in the 2004 and '05 finals, is trying to become the first American man to win at the All England Club since Pete Sampras in 2000. Murray is looking to become the first British man to win the Wimbledon singles title since Fred Perry in 1936.
I've been rooting for Andy so hard. Yesterday when he was playing Lleyton (Hewitt), I was screaming at the TV saying, 'Come on!''' Serena said.I think I startled people next to me.''
Venus, who advanced to her fourth Wimbledon final against her younger sister by beating top-ranked Dinara Safina 6-1, 6-0, didn't want to even attempt to guess who would win the second semifinal on Centre Court.
I just don't know. I just don't know,'' the five-time Wimbledon champion said.You got to ask someone else.''
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TWO AND OUT: James Blake and Mardy Fish let a two-set lead squirm out of their grasp at Wimbledon on Thursday, missing out on their first Grand Slam final.
The unseeded American duo lost to defending doubles champions Daniel Nestor of Canada and Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia 5-7, 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (3), 10-8 in the semifinals.
The second-seeded Nestor and Zimonjic will play top-seeded Bob and Mike Bryan in Saturday's final. The American twins beat Wesley Moodie of South Africa and Dick Norman of Belgium 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-4.
Bob and Mike Bryan, who have won every major title at least once, will be looking to win their eighth career Grand Slam doubles title in the Wimbledon final.
Nestor has won the doubles title at all four Grand Slam tournaments. He captured the 2002 Australian Open, 2007 French Open and 2004 U.S. Open with former partner Mark Knowles of the Bahamas. Last year's Wimbledon title is Zimonjic's only Grand Slam title.