WORLD No 2 Jelena Jankovic advanced to her first Grand Slam final by defeating Elena Dementieva 6-4, 6-4 at the US Open on Friday, setting up a showdown with two-time winner Serena Williams.

Jelena Jankovic is aiming to win her first Grand Slam title.

"I have tears in my eyes," said an emotional Jelena. "I have played in five semi-finals and to be in the final for first time in a Grand Slam is unbelievable. I'm thrilled."

Jelena had to rally in both sets of the semi-final on a windy Friday afternoon in front of a crowd of 22,892 at the main Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Eight time Grand Slam winner Serena reached her first US Open final in six years, storming past Russian Dinara Safina 6-3, 6-2 in just 88 minutes.

"I am finally back in the final," Serena said. "An American back in the final. I am really excited."
The final was scheduled for yesterday night (this morning in Malaysia) but weather forecasters are predicting rain all day as the remnants of tropical storm Hanna move through the New York area.

If that happens the final will be moved to tonight (tomorrow in Malaysia).

Not only will Jelena and Venus be gunning for the US$1.5 million (RM5 million) in first place prize money, but the winner will also surpass Serbian Ana Ivanovic as World No 1.

Jelena finished off her semi-final by breaking Elena for the fifth time in the set, winning it on the second match point when the Russian hit the final ball long.

"It was windy but I really tried to fight," said Jelena.

Jelena said she had to adjust to hitting into a headwind.

"It was hard for both of us. Especially from one side the wind was very strong. You keep hitting as hard as you can and the ball doesn't go anywhere.

"From the other side you hit the ball and it flies. It was tough but it was the same conditions for both players."

Serbia's Jelena won 63 percent of her first serve points and made just 22 unforced errors in the one hour, 34 minute match.

It has taken her 20th career Grand Slam tournaments to get to the final.

"I wanted to go out there and from the first point be focused," Jelena said.

Once again, Russian fifth seed Elena seemed tormented by her weak second serve. She squandered numerous opportunities, finishing with six double faults and 42 unforced errors.

She posted her final double fault in the last game where she won just one point when the chair umpire refused to let Jelena challenge a ball the Serbian thought was long.

Jelena, a semi-finalist at the French Open in June, has won one title in 2008. That came at the Italian Open, where she defeated Venus Williams and Maria Sharapova en route to the final.

She said it was rare for her to play a Grand Slam without being hurt.

"This has been the first Grand Slam I don't have issues bothering me," said Jelena.

"Knock on wood. For the first time this year in a Grand Slam I am healthy. It is a miracle for me to be healthy."

Serena kept her game plan simple on Friday, converting 5-of-10 break-point opportunities and making just 21 unforced errors.

At one point in the match, Dinara had her serve broken four times in a row.

She made 41 unforced errors and converted only 2-of-6 break-point opportunities in the 88-minute match.

"I was behaving like a spoiled girl on the court and I can't do this in a semi-final of a Grand Slam," Dinara said. "I have to get better.

"She (Serena) behaved like a champion. She was there and fighting and was fighting with me and I was fighting with everything around except her."

Serena rallied from having her serve broken on her opening game of the match to take the first set by winning the final three games. -- AFP