Top-ranked Serena Williams came from a set and 5-2 down to beat France's Avarane Rezai 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 on Thursday and move into the Sydney International final against defending champion Elena Dementieva.
Rezai was serving for the match at 5-3 in the second set but reigning Australian Open champion Williams won the next five games to level the match and go a break up in the third.
Rezai recovered breaks in the first and seventh games of the third set but Williams broke her to lead 5-4 and then served it out.
``Was I down that far? I didn't even realize,'' Williams said, responding to question in an on court interview. ``I was thinking, 'What time can I practice tomorrow at Melbourne?'''
Williams has won 35 titles, but has never reached the Sydney final.
``Cool ... finally,'' she said, relishing the opportunity to prepare for the Australian Open.
``That was good because she played really hard, like a top player.''
Williams, winner of 11 Grand Slam singles titles, will play Friday against Olympic champion Dementieva, who beat sixth-seeded Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-3, 6-1.
``I expect a tough match. She's a great champion,'' Dementieva said of Williams. ``I just hope it's going to be a good match for both of us, and good preparation for the Open.''
In men's quarterfinals, Richard Gasquet of France had a 6-3, 7-6 (7) win over Italian Potito Starace.
Former No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt played 2006 Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis later Thursday. Hewitt is aiming for his fifth Sydney title.
The Australian Open starts Monday in Melbourne.
