Dementieva charges into last four, Williams sisters to clash

Olympic champion Elena Dementieva maintained her hot streak to reach the US Open semi-finals with a 6-2, 6-3 win over...

Olympic champion Elena Dementieva maintained her hot streak to reach the US Open semi-finals with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Switzerland8217;s Patty Schnyder on Tuesday.

The fifth-seeded Russian extended her winning run to 11 matches when she became the first player to reach the last four at Flushing Meadows. Facing Schnyder for the 17th time, Dementieva wasted little time in making her intentions clear as she broke the Swiss in the third game after the 15th seed whipped a forehand wide.

Dementieva kept up the pace in the second to win her fifth successive match here in straight sets. She will next face either second seed Jelena Jankovic or Austrian Sybille Bammer.

8216;Quarter-finals is too early8217;

Serena Williams voiced the frustration of fans, TV bosses and advertisers on Monday when she said she was not happy to meet her sister Venus so early in the US Open after they booked a quarter-final clash.

8220;It sucks,8221; Williams said courtside after her fourth-round win against French wildcard Severine Bremond. 8220;Even the semi-finals would have been better than the quarters, but at least one of us will make it to the semi-finals,8221; Serena said after disposing of her latest opponent in straight sets.

8220;It8217;s tough to play her because she is so good,8221; said Venus, who won their last collision at this summer8217;s Wimbledon final for her fifth singles title at the All England Club.

8220;I think if I had a sister and she wasn8217;t very good, then it would be just not really a big deal because I would beat her,8221; Venus told reporters after her 6-1, 6-3 victory over Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland. 8220;But she8217;s very good, so I have to figure out, okay, how can I win this match?8221; The sisters are 8-8 in head-to-head matches during their career, and 5-5 against each other on the Grand Slam stage.

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Venus said earlier this week she felt like she was at her best, but Serena said again on Monday she still had room to improve before Wednesday8217;s quarter-final showdown. 8220;I feel like I can win the tournament if I play my best tennis and I don8217;t feel I8217;ve played my best yet,8221; said Serena.