After Dementieva knocked a forehand into the net to end the 1 hour, 42 minute match, Venus skipped and hopped up and down with joy like a kid at a birthday party.
"I guess it started to set in a little bit about being in the final. When I'm excited I always jump. That I guess will never change. I'd like to celebrate even more if I'm good enough to take that title."
Asked about the likelihood of an all-Williams final, Dementieva said she couldn't imagine playing against a sibling.
"It's really hard," she said. "For sure it's going to be a family decision. They know their game very well. So maybe there is not so much fight in the end."
Venus took offense to a question about a predetermined outcome if Serena makes the final. Serena has an 8-7 career edge against Venus, including 5-1 in grand slam finals.
"I'm extremely professional in everything that I do on and off the court," Venus said. "I contribute my best in my sport and I also have a ton of respect for myself and my family. So any mention of that is extremely disrespectful for who I am, what I stand for, and my family."
Venus' attacking game produced 28 winners and 19 unforced errors. The more defensive Dementieva had 12 winners and 22 errors.
Serena Williams of the U.S. hits a return against Zheng Jie of China during their semi-final match at the Wimbledon championships in London July 3, 2008. [Photo: Xinhuanet]
Venus, the biggest server in women's tennis, averaged 190 kph on first serves and had a fastest serve of 201 kph. Dementieva, known as one of the weakest servers in the game, averaged only 164 kph on first serves.
Dementieva was highly animated throughout the match, shrieking at the top of her voice and spinning around in frustration after errors.
Venus broke immediately to open the match, saved four break points in the next game and moved to a 4-0 lead before Dementieva finally got on the board after 29 minutes of play. The Russian saved four break points in a game that went to deuce six times, but Venus quickly closed out the set, flying high for a forehand volley smash.
(Agencies via Shanghai Daily July 4, 2008)