Dementieva wins in Auckland

 

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

The experienced Dementieva proved too strong for the 22-year-old Vesnina, who is ranked 76th in the world, taking the match 6-4 6-1.

It was Vesnina’s first WTA Tour final appearance while Dementieva, the Beijing Olympics singles gold medallist, had been in 17 previously, winning 11.

Against the form guide, Vesnina played the better tennis in the first set but lacked the composure at critical moments against an opponent five years her senior and with four more years on tour.

Vesnina had the early advantage, breaking to 2-1 up and showing fewer nerves than she had in her three-hour semi-final victory over Britain’s Anne Keothavong.

However, she missed a glorious chance at 3-1 and 40-0 up on Dementieva’s next serve and her opponent took full advantage, winning five points in a row and then breaking Vesnina’s next service game as she again battled back from 0-40 down.

The set was closed out by another three breaks of serve with Dementieva claiming two of them to take the first set 6-4 in 50 minutes despite being well below her best.

After going so close to taking a one-set lead, Vesnina was soon 0-5 down in the second set as Dementieva held her own serves in the first, third and fifth games while Vesnina, who was successful with only 39% of her first serves in the match, was broken twice in a row.

Vesnina kept her composure to hold serve to love at 5-1 and held three break points only for the world number four to battle back to deuce and finally close out the match in an hour and 28 minutes with a superb forehand down the line.

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