Medibank International Sydney Tennis - Australian Open Series

Dementieva continues red-hot streak

AAP Friday 16 January 2009 Comments

Elena Dementieva will head to the Australian Open as the hottest player in women’s tennis after claiming the Medibank International Sydney on Friday night.

Dementieva enjoyed a 6-3 2-6 6-1 win over countrywoman Dinara Safina to go alongside her Auckland Classic title won the week before, marking the world No.4 as the woman to watch at Melbourne Park.

The 27-year-old has lost just one set in her last 10 matches and has taken out three of the last four tournaments she’s played.

Her challenge now is to add a grand slam trophy to her cabinet – something she’s failed to do over 10 years and 40 majors.

Dementieva was electric in the first set, capitalising on her opponent’s wayward groundstrokes to steal two breaks of serve and the early advantage.

But it was a different Safina that came out in the second.

After what appeared to be a dressing down from coach Zjelko Krajan courtside, Safina cut down her errors and broke her countrywoman twice to claim the set in a canter.

Some even more colourful exchanges were had between Safina and Krajan after the second set, at one stage the 22-year-old telling her coach his laughing and joking with others in the stands was “pissing her off”.

The two managed a few smiles and chuckles to show there were no hard feelings but the pep talk hardly helped as Safina quickly found herself down 4-0 in the decider.

Safina pulled back one break of serve but it mattered little as Dementieva closed out the match in 1 hour and 55 minutes.

Despite the loss it was also an impressive lead-up for Safina who hadn’t lost a set in Sydney until Friday night.

Safina rose from No.15 to No.3 in the rankings in a stellar 2008 and, like her compatriot, about the only thing she hasn’t won is a grand slam.

Tags: Dinara Safina, Elena Dementieva

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