1730 - Join us here tomorrow for the men's semi-finals as British number one Andy Murray continues his quest for Wimbledon glory against America's Andy Roddick while tournament favourite Roger Federer will be up against surprise package Tommy Haas.

1715 - It's game, set and match for Venus Williams in less than an hour after a crushing 6-1 6-0 victory over Dinara Safina. Of course this victory means it will be an all-Williams final at Wimbledon for the fourth time but you'd have to say on this evidence Venus will be the favourite against her younger sister Serena, who battled so hard to beat Elena Dementieva earlier today.

1710 - It's virtually all over now. Safina at least managed to take this game to deuce but when Venus moved into the advantage position, Safina produced a disappointing double fault to present her with the opportunity to serve for the match.

1706 - Safina can only watch in frustration as more Williams winners whistle past, leaving her rooted on the baseline. Another ace kills off the game and it's now 4-0 in what will probably be the final set of this match.

1702 - Watching Venus in her element is a joy to behold but it just means there's not that much excitement! A stunning back-hand return while level at 30-30 brings up a break point and then a Safina error gives her another game.

1657 - On this showing it's hard to comprehend quite how Safina is the world number one and two places higher than Williams. The American is simply in a league of her own right now and another easy service hold results in a 2-0 lead in this second set.

1653 - Safina scrambles hard in the opening point of the second set but it still goes the way of Williams after a destructive smash. At the moment it just seems like Venus is squashing a fly and an irresistible forehand drive during the next point gives Safina absolutely no chance. Williams then picks up the early break to love having benefited from two successive errors from her opponent and this semi-final already feels over.

1650 - To be honest this is a bit of a damp squib compared to the previous semi-final. In just 27 one-sided minutes Williams wraps up the first set with ease, taking it 6-1, and Safina really needs to produce some magic from somewhere if she's to trouble the defending champion.

1646 - It might be a bit late as far as this set goes, but Safina finally lets the Centre Court crown know there are two players in this match with a service hold - the highlight of which being a powerful cross-court winner from the baseline which Williams didn't even attempt to get back.

1642 - Another love game for Williams and after just 19 minutes of play the defending champion is on the brink of taking the opening set with absolute ease.

1640 - It's quite a struggle for Safina to win even a point against the formidable figure of Venus on Centre Court right now but somehow manages to battle her way into a 40-30 lead. With the pressure on she then mis-hits a forehand on the frame which sends the ball well out of play and now it's deuce. The next two points go the way of the elder Williams sister and she now leads 4-0 in this first set.

1634 - Safina picks up her game and gets involved in some blistering baseline rallies to start making Williams work harder. The Russian moves 15-30 up but Williams battles back and then unleashes a 124mph ace to make it 40-30. Safina keeps fighting and forces Venus into an error before thrashing a cross-court winner past her opponent to bring up break point. However the threat is short-lived when a couple of mistakes swing the game back in to the favour of Williams, who then takes it with a sublime back-hand volley at the net.

1627 - This is a nightmare start for Safina, who is the world number one despite never having previously won a Grand Slam. She loses her first service game to love and to be honest it's been a simple procession for the five-time Wimbledon champion.

1625 - The first game of this semi-final is over in a flash - Venus going through the motions to take it to love. Safina can't let the number three seed get into her stride so comfortably or else she'll be playing catch-up throughout what could be a very quick match.

1620 - Venus heads into this match with a 2-1 head-to-head record against the world number one and will be confident of winning her eighth semi-final here at SW19. She's never actually lost a last-four encounter here and it's going to take a major shock for Safina to end the American's relentless run to yet another final.

1610 - Time to get our breath back now and eat some more strawberries but join us shortly for the second semi-final between Venus Williams and Dinara Safina.

1605 - It's all over and Williams has finally won this incredible match after Dementieva's final shot just goes wide. The American is clearly drained after two hours and 49 minutes on court although you have to praise Dementieva who also produced some breathtaking tennis under intense pressure to push her opponent all the way.

1604 - A double fault gives Dementieva a ray of hope but it's 15-15 soon after when the Russian hits long from the baseline. An unstoppable smash at the net then puts Williams two points from victory although nerves continue to play a huge factor when a weak forehand finds the net to make it 30-30. Williams now has a match point following a clean winner and now Richard Williams is on his feet in preparation for celebrations...

1600 - Some fantastic shots from Williams - who yet again is made to fight for every point - opens up a 15-40 lead and she can't really afford to waste this golden opportunity. Despite blowing the first, the American then produces an awesome backhand winner to send her opponent the wrong way and now she'll serve for the match.

1556 - The way Williams celebrated that last point was as if she'd won the match - such is the struggle of this titanic encounter. Neither player deserves to lose having pushed each other into some sensational tennis to the delight of this enthralled Centre Court crowd.

An anxious Williams shows signs of nerves with a double fault before floating a gentle backhand well wide of the tramlines. At 0-30 she pulls out a couple of big serves to draw level before edging 40-30 up. But the one guarantee with Dementieva is that she never lies down and battles back to force deuce in this nerve-jangling game. Williams moves onto advantage point and again a powerful baseline effort from Dementieva forces another error and back we are to level terms. The Russian is unfortunate to hit the net after another exhausting rally and this time Williams finally kills it off following a splendid cross-court winner. It's now 6-6!

The families and coaches of the players can hardly bear to watch this physically and mentally draining semi-final. The resilient Dementieva is able to hold serve with some ease, dropping just one point, and once again the onus is back on Williams.

1543 - Williams holds her nerve during a tense rally and this time a volley at the net lands safely in and Dementieva is unable to retrieve. The American then earns a game point but spurns it with a wild forehand which sails out wide although she's subsequently gifted it after Dementieva first finds the net with a return and then drills a shot outside the tramlines. It's now 5-5.

1541 - The crowd get even more excited as the underdog Dementieva takes a 0-15 lead but a weak return on the next point finds the net and parity is restored. Williams gives the Russian no chance with another ace but follows this up with a poor volley at the net which loops out of play to make it 30-30. A remarkable return of serve from Dementieva allows her to bring up match point and this could be her moment at long last...

1536 - Win or lose, Dementieva deserves so much credit for her part in what has become a thrilling semi-final clash, although that will be no consolation to her if she fails to make it through. However the Russian puts virtually all the pressure on Williams after holding serve to love. It's now down to the American to serve to stay in the match...

1534 - This is without double the best match in the women's tournament so far and it really could go either way. It's easy to assume the power of Williams will prevail as Dementieva always tends to look a little fragile but the Russian has already made this encounter closer than anyone expected. In this game Williams beats down two more aces during an easy hold and it's now 4-4.

1530 - Dementieva double faults at 40-0 but no matter, she takes the next point courtesy of a wild Serena forehand to go up 4-3 in the final set.

1529 - Serena out with a whipping backhand return and it's 30-0 Dementieva.

1528 - Squeaky bum time now girls, and an exquisite Dementieva drop shot ends a superb rally to win her the first point of game seven.

1526 - Serena drops the first point of her next service game, but follows with a booming ace. Then Dementieva weakly nets a backhand from the back of the court. 30-15 Serena, and the American then forces Dementieva to go long with a return and she's on the break of levelling up. Another Serena ace down the middle and it's 3-3 final set.

1522 - Disaster for Dementieva as she nets a simple simple forehand to hand the break back to Serena. 3-2 to the Russian in the final set, but back with serve. Shocking from Elena there, very nervy.

1521 - Wild forehand from Dementieva is way out - two break points for Serena.

1520 - Dementieva nets a simple backhand to fall to 0-30 - will she give the break straight back?

1519 - Break for Dementieva. Double fault on deuce gives the Russian the chance, and then Elena keeps the next point alive long enough for Serena to net a simple forehand. 3-1 Dementieva, final set.

1517 - Extra kick on the Serena serve brings her back to 30-30 and then a wrongfooting backhand makes it 40-30. Dementieva won't be denied though and a booming forehand crosscourt brings her to deuce. Cracking stuff.

1516 - Dementieva blasts a powerful forehand down the line to get to 15-30 on Serena's serve.

1514 - Just time in between games to give you the news that I've just nailed my 19th strawberry of the afternoon - tummy a tad dodgy now. What's your record Wimbers fans?

1512 - Dementieva serves her seventh double fault of the afternoon but Serena mishits a topspin forehand return at 30-30 and Elena follows up with a super forehand down the line (over the highest part of the net) to clinch the game. Still with serve in the final set.

1509 - An aggressive Williams clearly wants to get the job done quickly as she races through this servicegame to love. Will the brave Russian be able to break her in this final set?

1507 - A straight-forward service hold for Dementieva as she tries to bounce back from the disappointment of being taken to this deciding set.

1505 - This third set is where the heat will really get to the players. Still the wilting spectators fan themselves as much as possible to avoid melting anymore than they already have - even Serena's father Richard can't help but wipe away the sweat from his brow as he watches from his box.

1502 - Dementieva is a true fighter and isn't fazed despite seemingly staring down the barrel of a gun. More gutsy tennis throughout long rallies prompts more Williams errors and all of a sudden she has two break points at 15-40. The American crashes down an ace to save one of them and more powerful shots enable her to force deuce. Dementieva digs deep once again to earn a third break point but another Williams ace cancels this out. The Russian has another opportunity to break but at the decisive moment she's overcome by nerves and puts an easy backhand wide of the tramlines and from there Williams finishes the job. After firing an ace on set point she screams "COME ON" and maybe Dementieva's best chance has gone.

1452 - It's such a shame Dementieva keeps letting herself down with her problematic serve. An untimely double fault puts Williams' nose in front at 15-30 and then an unfortunate net cord deflection gives her opponent two break points. Dementieva pulls one back but Hawkeye's intervention in the next point awards a very narrow decision to Williams, who wins the game. She leads 6-5 and will serve for the second set.

1448 - It's a perfect start to his crucial game for Williams as she thunders down an ace and from then it's pretty easy going for the American, who takes it to love.

1445 - Following the drama of that previous game, Dementieva regains her composure to comfortably move 40-0 up. But a few jitters then creep as she drops the next two points before double-faulting to bring up deuce. Nevertheless she digs deep once again for a nervy hold and edges into a 5-4 lead. Now it's up to Williams to serve to stay in the match.

1438 - This is so courageous from Dementieva, who constantly returns the Williams serve to cause the American all sorts of problems. At 30-30 Williams double-faults to give the Russian a valuable break point, which could determine the destiny of this match. After an absorbing rally Williams just finds the edge of the line and following Dementieva's hawkeye appeal, it's confirmed in. The Russian isn't finished yet and more superb returns earn another break point but a vociferous Williams crashes home a winner in the next point to bring up deuce again. She screams with emotion when clinching the next point and when Dementieva then hits the net, Williams survives a major scare.

1431 - Dementieva is under pressure at break point down in the next game but steely defensive tennis eventually forces an error from Williams, whose attempted lob is too long. A nervy - yet surprising - second-serve ace follows from the plucky Russian before another Williams error gives her the game.

1426 - Wow! A stunning break! Dementieva was leading 0-40 before a blistering a forehand at the net gives Williams no chance so it's now 3-3 in this second set.

1424 - Dementieva ensures she remains in touch in this second set having held serve to love but Williams hasn't got the pressure of needing to break anymore. She just has to do a job on her own serve if she's to force a decider.

1419 - A rampant Williams, who is gunning for her 11th Grand Slam title, is strong on serve once again to open up a 3-1 lead. Now she has that break, it's hard tosee Dementieva managing to get back on level terms in this set.

1416 - Dementieva is back on track after an easy hold and she knows she can't afford to let all that previous hard work go to waste. Her best chance of victory will be to try and wrap it up in straight sets rather than be taken to a decider.

1413 - While Williams is pumped up to get back on level terms, her body language suggests she didn't realise this match would be such a struggle. At 40-30 she sends down on second serve ace and now she holds a commanding 2-0 lead in this set.

1410 - Dementieva's dazzling forehand winner from the baseline while on the move at high speed puts her in the ascendancy but at 30-30 Williams executes a thunderous shot from the back of the court which whistles past the Russian. This brings up break point and Williams then makes no mistake.

1405 - She's done it! Another error from Williams, who hits long, gives Dementieva the opening set and you can sense a shock is now really on the cards out here on Centre Court. It was an excellent tie-break from the Russian, who played each point like it was her last. Now the former two-time champion must find an extra gear if she's to progress into the final.

1404 - Another mini-break from the Russian presents her with three-set points - although the first of these is wasted by a double fault.

1403 - Dementieva opens up a 5-3 lead after two long tiring rallies end with Williams hitting her shot out of play. Credit must go to the Russian, who produced a heroic return of serve - you could almost see her racquet bend!

1400 - The opening four points are shared and it's clear to see just how much this set means to both players as they scurry around chasing absolutely everything. Obviously Williams can rely more on her power but certainly Dementieva's speed is equal to it right now.

1355 - A tie-break is needed to settle the opening set after Dementieva so impressively holds serve to love.

1352 - Williams is being pushed hard in this semi-final and has been forced to produce arguably her best performance of the tournament so far. She only drops once point on serve in this game but this is an unfair reflection on Dementieva's dogged determination and speed to chase everything down.

1350 - A sublime little drop shot from Williams puts Dementieva in trouble on the first point but the quick Russian manages to get there before pushing it over the net and giving her opponent no chance. A high-quality game continues with a glorious lob shot from Williams at the baseline, which loops over Dementieva and bounces just in for 15-15. The fourth seed then responds in style to win the game, finishing it off with an ace.

1345 - Williams takes her frustrations out in the next game with a trademark powerful service game to love. Holding serve doesn't seem to be a problem, it's the fact Dementieva is proving a tough nut to crack.

1343 - Dementieva's worryingly weak second serve puts her in a threatening position in this game, quickly finding herself 0-40 down as Williams ruthlessly takes advantage. The Russian claws a couple of points back with well placed first serves and then forces deuce with a cross-court forehand at the net following a long rally. Dementieva clenches her fist having saved three break points and then quickly wraps up the game after two errors by her opponent.

1337 - A screaming Williams powers down an ace to kill off what was turning into a tough game at 40-30. She's clearly getting fired up right now and perhaps she needs a difficult match to prepare her for a potential meeting with her sister Venus in the final.

1333 - Another impressive hold for Dementieva, who is looking extremely strongfrom the baseline. She is not intimidated whatsoever and if you backed an all Williams final then you have cause for concern!

1332 - Remember if you want to get in touch about any issue at Wimbledon today then send me an email to christopher.hammer@bskyb.com

1329 - Williams looks to have this game wrapped up when moving 40-0 up but Dementieva displays her dangerous returning skills to send her opponent around the court before seizing the next point. The game is then finished off by the American but their are clear signs that this Russian just won't give in at any stage.

1326 - This time it's a relatively simple hold for Dementieva and it now appears as if both players are more relaxed and in their grove following a jittery start.

1323 - It's a full recovery for Williams, who races through an easy service game and that should settle her down. The onus is now on Dementieva to hold serve for the first time in this encounter...

1320 - Williams isn't fazed by the early break and with the scores level at 30-30 in the next game the American drills an unstoppable winner down the line. It's now Dementieva's turn to falter on her own serve as she hits a baseline effort wide to ensure parity is restored.

1317 - The match predictably starts off with a Williams ace but Dementieva sends out an early warning that this won't be a simple procession with an outstanding winner to carve out a break point. The Russian then stands her ground in the next rally and only has to wait a short time for a Williams error to open up a 1-0 lead.

1310 - The spectators are fanning themselves with anything they can get their hands on - hats, newspapers, magazines, programmes, lids off their lunchboxes and even paper plates. Of course some are lucky enough to have those mini electronic fans while others have resorted to the simplicity of an umbrella. Unfortunately the players are without such luxuaries and are sure to sweat buckets and drench their towels throughout this last four encounter.

1305 - Both players are looking very relaxed as they walk out onto court to a warm applause from the crowd, who will be hoping for a three-set thriller today. Of course for that to happen either Williams or Dementieva will have to do something they've to do all tournament - drop a set.

1258 - Serena Williams and Elena Dementieva are due out on Centre Court shortly for the first of today's semi-finals. Clearly Serena is the hot favourite to continue her march into the final having won every match so far in straight sets, while she also holds a 5-3 win-loss record against the Russian fourth seed, who lost to Venus at the same stage of the competition last year. However Dementieva must not be written off - she beat Serena en route to claiming the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics and I wouldn't be surprised to see at least one shock on what is another scorching hot day.

1225 - It's ladies' semi-final day in SW19 and once again it's a scorcher with little chance of rain. Temperatures could hit a new high of 33 Celsius today, forcasters say. We'll preview the semi-finals in a few moments.