World number one Serena Williams was in a brink of defeat before battling back to beat Frenchwoman Aravane Rezai 36 75 64 to reach the Sydney International final. She will face a familiar opponent, Russia’s Elena Dementieva, for the title.
The top ranked player lost the first set and was 5-2 down in the second before finding her rhythm and won the next five games to set up a third set encounter.
“Was I down that far? I didn’t even realize. I felt like I literally lifted my game at that point, because I knew I was going to be headed to Melbourne if I didn’t,” Williams said.
“I kept thinking, I want to get a little more practice, and I’d hate for it to end now,” she added.
Dementieva, the 2008 Beijing Olympics champion, had an easier time defeating Belarussian sixth seed Victoria Azarenka 63 61.
“I expect a tough match. She’s a great champion. I just hope it’s going to be a good match for both of us, and good preparation for the Open,” she said of Williams.
Australian Open 2010 begins on Monday, January 18.
