Date:02/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/02/stories/2008030260412100.htm

Sport - Tennis

Dementieva claims title

Dubai: Elena Dementieva beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the final of the Dubai Championships on Saturday to win her ninth career title.

It was the eighth seed’s first title since she won in Moscow in October last year, and second-seeded Kuznetsova’s second loss in the Dubai final after she was beaten by Justine Henin in 2004.

In Memphis, Robin Soderling of Sweden upset top-seeded Andy Roddick 7-6(6), 6-3 in the Regions Morgan Keegan tennis championships quarterfinals on Friday, ending the American’s bid to win in consecutive weeks.

The results: At Dubai (WTA Dubai Open): Final: Elena Dementieva bt Svetlana Kuznetsova 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

At Acapulco (Acapulco International championships): Men: Semifinals: Nicolas Almagro bt Jose Acasuso 6-4, 3-6, 7-5; David Nalbandian bt Luis Horna 7-5, 6-1.

Women: Semifinals: Alize Cornet bt Jill Craybas 6-2, 6-2; Flavia Pennetta bt Kaia Kanepi 6-4, 6-2.

At Zagreb (ATP Zagreb Indoors): Semifinals: Ivan Ljubicic bt Mario Ancic 7-6(2) 6-4.

At Memphis (Memphis championships): Singles: Quarterfinals: Men: Radek Stepanek bt Chris Guccione 7-6(4), 6-1; Robin Soderling bt Andy Roddick 7-6(6), 6-3; Jonas Bjorkman bt Donald Young 1-6, 6-2, 7-6(6), Steve Darcis bt Benjamin Becker 6-1, 6-0.

Women: Semifinals: Lindsay Davenport bt Marina Erakovic 6-0, 6-3; Olga Govortsova bt Shahar Peer 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.