Serena Crashes Out Of Olympics; Falls To Russian Dementieva

Beijing, China (AHN) - Fourth-seeded Serena Williams struggled with her nerves and firepower down the stretch, falling 6-3, 4-6, 3-6 to Russian Elena Dementieva in the quarterfinals of Olympics tennis Thursday at the Green Tennis Centre.

Williams, the runner-up in this year's Wimbledon, set the pace early on but could not get out of an 0-5 hole in the final set.

She closed to within 5-3 but her volley returned wide, giving the fifth-seeded Dementieva a place in the final four.

Dementieva next faces compatriot Vera Zvonareva, the no. 9 seed who ousted Sybille Bammer in the quarterfinals 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Williams came to the match after nearly losing in the third round. She beat Frenchwoman Alize Cornet 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 but her Olympic gold medal dream now only hinges on the doubles event.

Dementieva, a silver medalist back in Sydney eight years ago, reached the quarterfinals by beating Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki 7-6 (3), 6-2.