Elena Dementieva produced a fine display to oust Serena Williams and set up a Rogers Cup final showdown with Maria Sharapova.
All-Russian final as Sharapova also advances
Elena Dementieva produced a fine display to oust second seed Serena Williams and set up a Rogers Cup final showdown with Maria Sharapova.
Dementieva was made to battle to edge a close first set, but then overpowered Williams on her way to a 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 success.
The win provided the Russian with a measure of revenge with Williams having knocked her out on her way to victory at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year.
Yet it was Williams who held the upper hand early on, serving at 5-3 in the first tgo move a set ahead.
But having lost that game she was only to hold her serve once more in the match as her form completely deserted her.
Having closed out the set in comfortable style in the tie-break, Dementieva did not look back having surged into a 3-0 lead in the second and eventually broke her opponent a total of five times.
"I was really waiting for this match after Wimbledon," Dementieva stated afterwards. "It's always interesting to play Serena, especially looking for revenge after Wimbledon.
"No matter if I'm playing a grand slam or another tournament I'm expecting a tough match against her.
"I realise I have to play my best or I'm going to be out."
Sharapova toughs it out
She now faces Sharapova who got the better of fellow Russian Alisa Kleybanova in three sets, eventually winning out 6-2 4-6 6-4.
Sharapova will now compete for her first title since her return from a shoulder injury when she takes on compatriot Dementieva on Sunday.
However, she still made plenty of unforced errors, offering up 12 double-faults against Kleybanova and taking only five of 22 break-point opportunities.
But she showed commendable character to see of her opponent in a little over two and half hours and said after the match: "You have to expect her (Kleybanova) best tennis, to come out with nothing to lose.
"She beat a top player yesterday so she's coming off a confidence booster and came into the match playing her heart out."
