Serena forced to dig deep

Williams: fought back from the brink of defeat against Rezai

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Serena Williams rallied from the brink of defeat to beat France's Aravane Rezai in three sets, setting up a final date against Elena Dementieva at the Sydney International in the process.

The world number one was staring down the barrel of an early exit having lost the first set against Rezai and fallen 5-2 behind in the second.

But the Frenchwoman seemed to tighten up with the finish line in sight and Williams came on strong to level the match before clinching the decider to secure a hard-fought 3-6 7-5 6-4 triumph.

The American acknowledged she had been fortunate to emerge victorious, stating: "I was lucky to get through today.

"I'm just super mentally tough, I feel like that's definitely one of my strengths.

"I felt like I literally lifted my game at that point (when 5-2 down), because I knew I was going be headed to Melbourne if I didn't.

"I kept thinking, I want to get a little more practice, and I'd hate for it to end now."

Rezai, who won two events in 2009, admitted she had frozen rather as she closed on what would have been a huge win.

"I was probably scared to win the match," she explained. "But, you know, I realise I have the game and I can win, so I learn one more thing today.

"I think she's a fighter and is mentally very strong. I wasn't impressed, but I knew that she will fight. That's her game, that's how she plays."

In contrast to Serena's travails, Dementieva eased into the final with a convincing 6-3 6-1 demolition of Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

The Russian looked in fine fettle during a one-sided contest and remains on course to defend the title she won last year.