London: Four-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams cleared the penultimate hurdle towards a possible return to the trophy as she defeated fifth seed Elena Dementieva 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) in their Thursday semi-final.

Williams will await an opponent from her sixth-seeded sister Serena and Chinese wild card Zheng Jie.

Williams, who reached her seventh Wimbledon final in one hour, 41 minutes, improved her record at the event to 57-7.

She has not dropped a set while losing serve once per match over her first six contests.

"It was exciting to be in a semi-final, she is a similar player to me," said Williams,. "I had to play a little bit better and do what we both do a little better."

The winner was hoping to meet her younger sister for the fourth time at Wimbledon Saturday and their third in a final here after 2002 and 2003, which Serena won. "I'm dying for Serena to get through," she said.

 

Source : IANS