Serena Williams breezes past Dinara Safina to reach US Open final

Serena Williams breezes past Dinara Safina to reach US Open final

 

Serena Williams set up a US Open final showdown with Jelena Jankovic after overcoming sixth-seed Dinara Safina of Russia 6-3, 6-2.

 

 

Last Updated: 11:30AM BST 07 Sep 2008

Serena Williams reaches her first US Open final in six years following victory over Dinara Safina.

Final showdown: Serena Williams reaches her first US Open final in six years following victory over Dinara Safina. Photo: Getty

 

Safina broke 26-year-old Williams in the opening game of the match and moved to a 2-0 lead before the momentum quickly swung.

 

Williams broke Safina's serve in the fourth game and again in the eighth to take a 5-3 lead in the opening set.

 

The Russian had a chance to get back into the match with two break-point chances of her own, but the American was able to fend her off and held serve after the first deuce to claim the set.

 

Though Tropical Storm Hanna is due to hit New York's metropolitan area today, its presence was felt throughout the match as wind gusts were noticeable during each point.

 

The younger sister of former men's No 1 Marat Safin, 22-year-old Safina seemed to be most affected by the wind, especially on her serve, where she was broken three straight times at the start of the second set.

 

While Safina, who committed 41 unforced errors, visibly started to become more frustrated with herself, Williams remained calm and kept her opponent off balance with an array of cross-court winners and points at the net as she opened up a 5-1 lead.

 

Serving for the match, Williams put an end to the contest with a booming serve up the middle to put the two-time US Open champion into her first final at the event since 2002.

 

Williams, who defeated her sister Venus in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, has still yet to lose a set in the tournament and heads into her first US Open final in six years.

 

"I have nothing to lose," Williams said before turning the heat on her opponent.

 

"She has a lot of pressure to win her first Grand Slam and I am just enjoying every moment."

 

This will be the seventh career meeting between Jankovic and Williams with each winning three times. Williams won their last meeting earlier this year in Miami 6-1, 5-7, 6-3.

 

"I don't know too many people on the tour that can hang in there as much as she can," Williams said. "She's playing well and she's just going for glory."