Dementieva prevails in the battle of Russian beauties

Dubai: Elena Dementieva defeated second seed Svetlana Kuznetsova 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in an all-Russian final at the Dubai Championship on Saturday to win her ninth career title.

It was the eighth seed's first trophy since she won in Moscow in October while Kuznetsova suffered her second defeat in the final here, having also lost to Justine Henin in 2004.

"I feel so happy," Dementieva said.

"This was my first time at this event and it is such a big win. I think it was a great match and I played probably my best match for a long time."

Both players struggled to gain an advantage in a closely-contested opening set of long baseline rallies that produced seven breaks of serve.

Kuznetsova went 2-0 ahead but lost the next three games before winning the following three to lead 5-3.

Dementieva, striking her forehand to good effect, broke as Kuznetsova served for the set, only to drop her own serve for the fourth time in the next game.

The second set was also close with Kuznetsova attempting to come to the net more while Dementieva's pace forced a number of errors from her opponent.

Kuznetsova had the opportunity to build on her advantage when she held a break point to lead 2-0 but hit a return long and Dementieva punished her by breaking twice to go 4-1 up.

Backhand error

Although Kuznetsova recovered one break in the sixth game, Dementieva broke again for the set when her rival made a backhand error.

Dementieva maintained her momentum in the decider, striking a fine winner at the net to break for 2-0 before going on to claim the winner's cheque of $250,000.

"I think in the first set I was playing wrong tactically," she said.

"I didn't move Svetlana at all. Then I realised I had to play the whole court, I have to move her, I have to be aggressive and go more for the forehand winners."

Kuznetsova was unhappy with her performance.

"I am very disappointed because I think I got all the chances and all the possibilities today but I just didn't take them," she said.

"I was playing within myself and my level was going lower and lower. I don't know, with playing at night, if it was my vision or something but my level got lower and she just played consistent."