Dementieva sets up Kleybanova final
Source: Agencies |
February 28, 2010, Sunday
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TITLE favorite Elena Dementieva defeated Sybille Bammer of Austria 6-1, 6-3 to set up an all-Russian final with first-timer Alisa Kleybanova at the inaugural Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Fourth-seeded Kleybanova beat unseeded Ayumi Morita of Japan 6-4, 6-1 in the first semifinal to reach her first career WTA final.
Top-seeded Dementeiva and Kleybanova will meet for the first time.
"I'm really looking forward to the final as I have never faced Alisa before," Dementieva said. "I think she is one of the most talented young players around."
Dementieva will be gunning for her third title of the year, after triumphs in Sydney and Paris gave her 16 career titles.
The Russian has scythed through the draw, conceding only 15 games in four matches. She broke Bammer five times in 16 chances and lost her own serve only once. Dementieva won the first set in only 16 minutes, but Bammer put up a stronger fight in the rain-interrupted second set.
Kleybanova, a seventh-year pro, didn't drop serve against Morita and delivered 11 aces. "Today my serve helped me a lot and I took advantage of it," she said.
In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, titleholder Novak Djokovic edged Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-4 to reach the Dubai Championships final against Mikhail Youzhny on Friday.
Youzhny beat Jurgen Melzer of Austria 7-5, 7-6 (4) to make the Dubai final again. The Russian lost to Roger Federer in 2007.
Djokovic took the long road again, committing 10 double faults while having to come back from losing the first set for a third straight match.
"It was an incredible struggle again," the Serb said.
"Playing almost three hours against somebody who keeps the ball in the court in the rally for a long time. And, you know, it was very close. Every game was on the edge, I think," the second seed added.
Fourth-seeded Kleybanova beat unseeded Ayumi Morita of Japan 6-4, 6-1 in the first semifinal to reach her first career WTA final.
Top-seeded Dementeiva and Kleybanova will meet for the first time.
"I'm really looking forward to the final as I have never faced Alisa before," Dementieva said. "I think she is one of the most talented young players around."
Dementieva will be gunning for her third title of the year, after triumphs in Sydney and Paris gave her 16 career titles.
The Russian has scythed through the draw, conceding only 15 games in four matches. She broke Bammer five times in 16 chances and lost her own serve only once. Dementieva won the first set in only 16 minutes, but Bammer put up a stronger fight in the rain-interrupted second set.
Kleybanova, a seventh-year pro, didn't drop serve against Morita and delivered 11 aces. "Today my serve helped me a lot and I took advantage of it," she said.
In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, titleholder Novak Djokovic edged Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-4 to reach the Dubai Championships final against Mikhail Youzhny on Friday.
Youzhny beat Jurgen Melzer of Austria 7-5, 7-6 (4) to make the Dubai final again. The Russian lost to Roger Federer in 2007.
Djokovic took the long road again, committing 10 double faults while having to come back from losing the first set for a third straight match.
"It was an incredible struggle again," the Serb said.
"Playing almost three hours against somebody who keeps the ball in the court in the rally for a long time. And, you know, it was very close. Every game was on the edge, I think," the second seed added.
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