Wimbledon Semifinals: Serena Williams Beats Elena Dementieva

In a classic Wimbledon semifinal match that left both players exhausted and the spectators exhilarated, Serena Williams beat Elena Dementieva 6-7, 7-5, 8-6 to advance to the Wimbledon final.

"It was really, really tough," Williams said afterward. "Elena played so well and we gave the crowd a wonderful match."

Dementieva played very well in the early going, and it looked like it was going to be her day. She broke Williams' serve in the first game, and although Williams returned the favor in the second game, Dementieva was strong throughout, winning the first set 7-6.

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But Williams drew on her superior conditioning as the match wore on. Williams' strength and power appeared to be affecting Dementieva, and Williams won the second set with an ace.

Elena Dementieva

The third set was one that will be remembered forever. Williams saved match point with a brilliant backhand volley while down 5-4, and she went on to win 8-6, concluding the longest match of her career by drilling a backhand that bounced off the net and that Dementieva returned wide.

Williams is now in her fifth Wimbledon final, where she'll try to win her 11th career Grand Slam. She'll face either her big sister Venus Williams or Dinara Safina, who play in Thursday's second semifinal match. Venus and Safina have a tough act to follow.

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