Elena Dementieva of Russia returns the ball during the women's singles semifinal tennis match against Vera Zvonareva of Russia at Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. Dementieva won the match 2-0. (Xinhua/Zou Zheng) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Elena Dementieva reached the women's singles final at the Beijing Olympics tennis event after thrashing compatriot Vera Zvonareva in the semifinals on Saturday.

    With the 6-3, 7-6 (3) victory, the 26-year-old Dementieva has improved her record over Zvonareva to 4-1.

    Russia has been guaranteed at least two medals in this event as three of the four semifinalists come from Russia. The only non-Russian player in the last four is Chinese player Li Na, who has notched up two top ten victories en route to the semifinals.

    Seeded fifth in the event, Dementieva will meet either fellow Russian Dinara Safina or unseeded Li in the final on Sunday.

    Two Russians have reached an Olympic singles final, namely Yevgeny Kafelnikov, who won men's singles gold, and Dementieva, who won women's singles silver, both in 2000.