Venus, pursuing her fifth title in 12 years, defeated the error- prone Russian Elena Dementieva 6-1 7-6 with frequently embarrassing ease. Serena, champion in 2002-3, earned the right to meet her in tomorrow's final by accounting for China's Zheng Jie.

Of course both results were eminently predictable when you get two of the game's hardest hitters facing opponents who do not generate anywhere near the same power.

Dementieva has acquired a reputation for failing to finish off her rivals, anyway, and has a serve which lacks bite.

There was a revealing example of this trait in the previous round when despite leading a compatriot, Nadia Petrova, 6-1 5-1 she was relieved to survive in the third set.

Against Venus the situation was in reverse, but a spirited comeback by Dementieva ended when she faltered on the big points in the tie-break.

Dementieva wobbled again, which indicates why she has never captured a title in 39 grand slam appearances. Lovely smile, though.

What more can one say of the admirable Zheng Jie, the first Chinese player to reach a grand slam semi-final, and a wild card invitation to boot?

Here again it was a question of power. Serena radiated strength and all that Zheng had to offer was patience, spirit and a stubborn determination to return every ball

This worked to the extent of reaching 5-5 in the second set when rain intervened for the second time. On the resumption Williams came through 6-2 7-6 and Zheng was left to concentrate on winning medals at the impending Beijing Olympics.

Meanwhile she has dedicated her prize money to the Chinese earthquake disaster relief fund in her home province of Sichuan.

A final between sisters – the Williams girls also met in 2002 and 2003 – produced a tart reaction from Dementieva, who suggested that the outcome would be the result of a family decision.

Venus thought this was disrespectful and Dementieva issued a retraction in which she said her English had been misinterpreted.

"If they do play each other, I expect it to be a very tough match as they are two of the biggest fighters in the game," she said.

End of spat. Meanwhile, Richard Williams, father and mentor of his two daughters has said he will fly home to the United States rather than watch them play each other on the Centre Court.

"I couldn't watch it," he said. "I'll be on a plane. It's too emotional for me."