TWO PLAYERS who have similar problems will face the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, in tomorrow’s semi-finals. Both are Russians and both are hoping that this will be their breakthrough Grand Slam tournament.

Venus will play Dinara Safina, the world number one, who beat unseeded German Sabine Lisicki 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-1 and Serena will face Elena Dementieva, who drilled Francesca Schiavone out of the competition 6-2, 6-2.

Neither of the Russians are strangers to finals but both Safina and Dementieva have made their way to this stage of the competition without accomplished serves. Dementieva’s first delivery used to be a liability. Over the years it has improved in the sense that it is no longer an embarrassing eyesore but remains her way of simply starting a point. A weapon it is not. In her match yesterday she hit one ace and nine double faults against Schiavone, while Safina delivered no aces but handed Sabine Lisicki 12 double faults. Safina’s serve is a liability.

The tall Russian should, theoretically, have a decent first punt yet she gave her very first service game to Lisicki yesterday with a double fault before handing her the first set with a double fault to a collective groan from the Centre Court crowd, who remained unnaturally silent throughout the ragged match.

Lisicki, who had never been this deep into a Grand Slam before, was every bit as generous with her own points, both on serve and during play and had she steadied herself on big service games in the first two sets could easily have caused the top seed to tumble.

In the end Safina blasted her away with her big groundstrokes, but with much less efficiency than she would have liked.

Dementieva had less difficulty with Schiavone and cruised into her second semi-final in a row.

While her serve was flaky, her movement and balance remain the best assets she has. That part of her game could cause Williams some problems and against Schiavone it was that aspect that saw her through.

But experience tells her that Serena Williams will not only present a different style but a potentially terminal threat.

“The biggest weapon in her game is her serve,” said Dementieva. “She’s very powerful on first serve. Her backhand is one of the best in the game.”

Despite her glaring weakness Dementieva has not yet dropped a set in her five matches and has lost only 20 games, or, an average of four a match. It’s an impressive run. But she is in no doubt about what lies ahead.

“It’s gonna be tough if I’m not able to put in my first serve,” said the Russian.

“Because she’s gonna play relaxed and take advantage of the short ball. She’ll be aggressive on every point.”

Be sure of that.