Apia International Sydney Tennis - Australian Open Series

Dementieva marches into semis

AAP Wednesday 13 January 2010 7 Comments »

Defending champion Elena Dementieva booked her place in the semifinals of the Medibank International Sydney late on Wednesday with a 6-2 6-3 victory over world No.2 and fellow Russian Dinara Safina.

The start of the match, a repeat of last year’s final, was delayed by almost two hours due to heavy rain, with play finally getting underway at 9.20pm (AEDT)

The long break had no adverse effects on the champion who came roaring out of the blocks, racing to a 5-0 lead in the first set as Safina’s serve continued to misfire.

The 23-year-old Safina finally showed some form in the sixth game of the set when she broke her fellow Russian, but Dementieva held her next service game to take the opener 6-2.

The second set was a closer affair, but Dementieva secured an early break to seize the inititiative.

Despite Safina questioning the umpire’s decision to let play continue with light rain starting to fall, Dementieva held her nerve after the ground staff had dried the white lines on the court to see out the set 6-3 and march into the last four.

Dementieva will be back on court on Thursday afternoon when she takes on Victoria Azarenka of Belarus for a place in the final.

Tags: Dinara Safina, Elena Dementieva

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