Serena dashes Zheng's hopes to set up third Venus final

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — Serena Williams will face big sister Venus for the third time in a Wimbledon final after ending wildcard Zheng Jie's hopes of becoming the first Chinese player to reach a Grand Slam final.

Serena, who beat Venus in the 2002 and 2003 finals, had to dig deep to beat a battling Zheng 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) and will seek a ninth Grand Slam title when she faces her 28-year-old sister who in turn will be chasing a fifth victory here.

The 26-year-old Serena, 11 kilos heavier and more than 11cm taller than the Chinese, had too much brawn for the world number 133, who had made her mark by knocking out top seed Ana Ivanovic in the third round.

"She pushed me and really played a great match," said Serena of an opponent she had comfortably defeated in the first...