Venus Williams defeated her American teammate Monica Seles in three sets to move within one match of an Olympic gold medal - which she says would mean more to her another Grand Slam title.

Williams, who won 6-1 4-6 6-3, will play Elena Dementieva in Wednesday's final.

The Russian number 10 seed shattered Australia's hopes of at least a silver medal by rallying from a set down to beat Jelena Dokic 2-6 6-4 6-4.

The two beaten semi-finalists play meet for the bronze on Tuesday.

Williams said: "This is a once in a lifetime kind of thing. Its probably bigger than a Grand Slam."

The Wimbledon and US Open champion admits she did not feel like that coming in to the Olympics.

She said: "It's something that has grown on me with each match.

"Right now it seems like the ultimate thing to have a gold."

Williams, who had never lost to Seles in four previous meetings, appeared to be coasting as she raced through the first set in just 19 minutes.

But she folded badly in the second with a string of double faults helping Seles to take four games on the trot to claim the set from 2-4 down.

Normal service was resumed in the third however, with Williams shifting up a gear to pull through, helped in part by reading little cards at each changeover.

"They're my reminders," Williams said.

"It keeps my mind on the match, not wandering around."

Written on one of the cards, she revealed, was the message, "You're the best".

She has not been beaten since the quarter-finals of the French Open back in June and her winning streak now stands at 31 matches.