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Tennis

In-form Venus cruises into All England Club final

03/07/2008

Defending Wimbledon women's champion Venus Williams has beaten fifth seed Elena Dementieva in straight sets to qualify for her seventh final in the last nine years.

The American, who will play her younger sister Serena in the Centre Court showpiece on Saturday, rarely looked troubled by her younger and higher-seeded opponent, winning 6-1 7-6.

Williams shot out of the blocks from the start, taking advantage of Dementieva's nervousness in her first ever Wimbledon semi-final.

The seventh seed quickly broke serve twice to establish a 4-0 lead.

Dementieva got on the board by holding serve in a game that could easily have gone against her again, but it was merely a stay of execution as Venus wrapped up the first set with a comfortable service game and another break.

The second set saw the Russian calm her nerves and put up more of a fight against the dominance and power of Williams, who is searching for her fifth title at the All England Club.

But despite exchanging breaks early on, the second set went to a tiebreak and again Williams' experience shone through as Dementieva wilted under pressure.