Dementieva, Safina reach Medibank final

SYDNEY, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Russians Elena Dementieva and Dinara Safina will clash for the championship of the $600,000 Medibank International in Sydney.

Dementieva, seeded third, had an easy time defeating American Serena Williams in Wednesday's semifinals. Despite six double faults, the Russian ousted Williams 6-3, 6-1. It was the third straight time Dementieva has beaten Williams after losing the first four times they played.

Safina reached the title match with a a 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) win over Japan's Ai Sugiyama. It was the third straight time Safina has found success against Sugiyama.

Safina, who has won nine tour titles to Dementieva's 12, holds a 5-4 edge over her fellow countrywoman in head-to-head play.

Whoever wins will take home $98,500.