It was definitely a Semifinal Saturday to remember at the 2008 Family Circle Cup. After Serena Williams' tight 7-5, 6-3 win over Alize Cornet to start the day it was Vera Zvonareva's time to shine, as she won an all-Russian clash against Elena Dementieva to reach the final of the prestigious Tier I tournament.

Often a fast starter, the No.9-seeded Zvonareva came out of the blocks firing under sunny skies, racing ahead 5-1 and going up 30-15 on her serve to get to within two points of a first set rout. The No.4-seeded Dementieva didn't give it up that easily, fighting back to close to 5-3, but a love service game from the frontrunner sealed the first set, 6-3.

Although she was cut off at the pass it was growing increasingly evident that Dementieva was over the slow start, and she built leads of 3-0 and 4-2 in the second set. Zvonareva came on strong again, winning six of the next eight games and eventually serving for the victory at 6-5, but a resilient Dementieva hung on in a tight 12-point game to break her and take it to a tie-break, where she again came through, winning 7-2 to take the match to a deciding third.

At 20 points, the first game of the decider was the longest of the match, and it was Dementieva who prevailed, breaking her countrywoman to go up 1-0 and holding for 2-0. But again the fiery Zvonareva went on a tear and this time it was fatal for her opponent, as she used her flat, penetrating groundstrokes and tireless retrieving to win six of the next seven games, and the match.

"I wasn't thinking about the score when I was on the court," Zvonareva said. "I was just trying to find a way to win that match and I kept fighting, and it worked for me today. I knew I had to stay out there the whole match with her because she's a fighter. She's a great player and never gives up, so I had to do the same."

"I feel like I played really well in the tie-break and to get to the 2-0 lead," Dementieva said, "but she's such a fighter. Losing five games in a row, it's such a big advantage in the third set, so it was really difficult to come back afterwards."

Coming into 2008, Zvonareva was 0-5 lifetime in semifinals at the Tier I level or above; she has gone 2-1 so far this year, reaching the final at Doha (finishing runner-up to Maria Sharapova), falling in the final four of Miami (to Jelena Jankovic) and now beating Dementieva to move into the title match of Charleston.

Dementieva was trying to reach her second career final at Charleston, having been the runner-up in 2005 to Justine Henin. She had a string of impressive wins to reach today's match, including a straight set win over long-time rival and Charleston standout Patty Schnyder in the quarterfinals.

"I really think it was a very good first clay court tournament, and I already had some good matches here," Dementieva said. "Even today I think it was a good match against Vera, but she's in great shape, and I just wish her the best of luck in the finals. I feel like I need to work a little bit harder, but it feels good to be here."