Elena Dementieva (RUS)[5] v. Venus Williams (USA)[7]
Dementieva and Williams both have played the WTA Tour now for more than 10 years with Williams leading head to head 5-2. I saw both of the loses, both won by Dementieva in third set tiebreakers. Not to take anything away from Elena but Williams was practicing some serve and volley in the one Fed Cup team competition loss and she hurt her ankle
in the Miami loss. In the Miami match some of Dementieva's serves dropped to the 60 miles per hour range. Williams is the better
grass player and will need to start the points in control to win. Also Williams will
need to avoid long rallies with Dementieva who likes to rally.
Dementieva hits very consistent and solid groundstrokes. Venus can turn in a patch of errors. If Elena can find a way to return Williams' serve, she could have a chance to get into the match. The bad news for Dementieva is her first serve is not nearly as good as Venus' first serve.
Look for Williams to come out hitting big. Dementieva will need to hope for some errors from Williams plus turn in a serving display of her life to win.
Winner: Williams
Jie Zheng (CHN) v. Serena Williams (USA)[6]
Zheng of China shocked world number one Ana Ivanovic of Serbia 6-1, 6-4 in the third round, then beat 15th seeded Agnes Szavay and 18th seeded Nicole Vaidisova in the fourth and quarterfinals rounds. Zheng trails Williams 0-1 head to head losing their only meeting 6-3, 6-1 here at Wimbledon in 2004.
Williams has the advantage in experience and in more or less every department game-wise. But Zheng will have nothing to lose and should come out hitting without fear.
However Williams doesn't have any weaknesses in her game and grass is arguably her best surface. Unless Serena turns in a poor performance or is injured, she should meet her sister Venus in Saturday's championship final.
Winner: Williams
