Dementieva progresses in FORTIS

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:06

The top-seeded Russian posted a 7-6 (7/5) 6-2 victory over German qualifier Tatjana Malek in her opening round clash.

In her first game since celebrating her 27th birthday last week, world number five Dementieva is a win away from reaching the quarter-finals for the 15th time in her last 16 events.

In line to finish the year in the top five for the first time in her career, Dementieva has played in four finals this season, winning in Dubai and claiming the gold medal at the Olympics.

Also a semi-finalist at Wimbledon and the US Open, Dementieva reached the 50-win mark for the first time in her career with Tuesday’s triumph.

Awaiting her in the second round is Argentina’s Gisela Dulko, a 6-4 6-2 winner over Tathiana Garbin.

The fourth seed here is 18-year-old Caroline Wozniacki, who is enjoying a solid season highlighted by her first three titles.

The 16th-ranked Dane, who has done much of her damage this season at lower-profile events, reached the second round with a 6-2 6-3 victory over Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinsky.

The only other seeded player in action on Tuesday was number eight Sorana Cirstea, who rallied for a 4-6 6-2 6-2 win over Ukrainian qualifier Yuliana Fedak. The 18-year-old Romanian is making her first main-draw appearance since claiming her maiden title earlier this month at the Tier IV Tashkent event.

Others moving through to the second round on Tuesday were Mariya Koryttseva, Iveta Benesova and Catalina Castano.

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