Sat Apr 19 18:08:42 2008

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Serena, Zvonareva to meet in Charleston final

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Charleston, SC (Sports Network) - American Serena Williams and Russian Vera Zvonareva each survived a challenge Saturday to reach the final at the $1.34 million Family Circle Cup tennis event.

The fifth-seeded Williams disposed of unseeded French upstart Alize Cornet 7-5, 6-3 on the green clay at Family Circle Tennis Center. Williams, the 2003 Charleston runner-up, reached the semis with a 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 win over Russian Maria Sharapova in Friday's quarterfinal match.

Williams was the champion at the so-called "Fifth Major" in Miami just two weeks ago.

Williams' win sets up a championship encounter with the ninth-seeded Zvonareva, who notched a hard-fought 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 6-3 victory over fourth- seeded countrywoman Elena Dementieva. Zvonareva pulled off an upset to make the semis, knocking off top-seeded Jelena Jankovic, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.

The 2008 Family Circle winner will earn $196,900.