Serena battles to get the better of Dementieva

Younger Williams sister plays longest ever Wimbledon women's semi-final to beat fourth seed Elena Dementieva and set up final against sibling Venus

2 July 2009

Serena Williams could be jet-lagged for the women’s final – after revealing she has to fly to Hawaii to get her forehand back.

Williams, who had to dig deep to beat Elena Dementieva 6-7 7-5 8-6, admitted her forehand was not with her on Centre Court today. Now the ten-time grand slam winner will have to go to extreme lengths to get it back before facing sister Venus on Saturday.

“My forehand didn’t show up,” the American said. “I think she went to Hawaii.

“But I’ve called and asked her to come back for the final.

“Hopefully she’ll be back.”

Women’s tennis is often accused of being boring. But as long as Williams is around to both inspire on court and entertain off it, the female game will always be worth a watch.

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On contacting her forehand, she continued: “She turned off her phone.

“You know, she won’t answer me. But I might even have to go there.

"My forehand didn’t show up. I think she went to Hawaii"

"Whatever it takes I need it back.”

The Williams sisters polarise opinion, particularly in Britain. And the younger sister did little to boost her fanbase in SW19 as she revealed there’s only one Andy she’s rooting for when Roddick meets Murray in tomorrow’s men’s semi-final: compatriot and pal Roddick.

“I’ve been rooting for Andy so hard,” said Williams, who has known Roddick for more than 15 years, having passed through the junior ranks together in the US.

“When he was playing Lleyton Hewitt [last night] I was screaming at the TV saying: ‘C’mon!’ I think I startled people next to me. I really want him to do well here.

“Nothing against Andy Murray, but I’m just rooting for the American.

“I really, really want him to do well.”

And on contesting the longest ever women’s semi-final - at two hours 48 minutes - she added with a grin: “I guess I’m always trying to do something to make history, so here I go again.

“Yay!”

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