The odds were ominously stacked against her, but Elena Dementieva shrugged off a 0-4
head-to-head record against Serena Williams to claim her first Kremlin Cup title with a
5-7 6-1 6-1 win over the American the day before her 26th birthday. "It's just a great
victory for me," said Dementieva. "This has been one of my favourite tournaments and playing
at home in front of my fans, finally I was able to do it. This is going to be my best birthday
ever. I mean what else can happen to me? I'm just so excited and happy about this title.
I've been waiting for this day to come for such a long time - it is truly a dream come
true."
Dementieva took the opportunity to pay tribute to Boris Yeltsin, who died in April this
year. She said that none of the Russian success in recent years could have happened
without the former president's contribution to the sport. Yeltsin was present at
the historic occasion when Dementieva met Anastasia Myskina in the 2004 Roland Garros
final - the first all-Russian major final. He also shared in the celebrations when
his country won its first Fed Cup title in 2004. The following year, Dementieva was
the inspiration behind Russia's 3-2 triumph over France in a thrilling final at
Roland Garros. In fact, over the years, Yeltsin and Dementieva have both been
instrumental in Russia's current domination of women's tennis.
Coached by her mother, Vera, who continues to travel with her, and supported by the
Foundation for the Development of Tennis in Russia, Dementieva was a very promising
junior. She won her first international tournament, Les Petit As, in France at the
age of 13 and triumphed in the Orange Bowl 16s in 1996. She turned pro in 1998 but had
to wait a couple of years before making her breakthrough, winning the silver medal
at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and becoming the first Russian woman to reach the semi-finals
of the US Open. A shoulder injury then prompted modifications to her service action. The
consequent lack of pace and consistency has plagued her ever since but could not prevent
her reaching two major finals in 2004. Brushing aside her disappointing loss to Myskina
in the Roland Garros final, she battled past Amelie Mauresmo and Jennifer Capriati en route
to the US Open final where she lost in straight sets to fellow countrywoman Svetlana
Kuznetsova.
Dementieva qualified for the year-ending WTA Tour Championships for the seventh straight
time in 2006, reflecting a consistency that belies the theory that her serve is
too frail to compete at the top level of the game. She brings to the court a spunkiness
associated with the breed of her dog, a Yorkshire terrier named Patrick. Her
phenomenal work-rate, athleticism and penetrating groundstrokes compensate for
the absence of a service weapon. While she is unlikely to qualify for the year-end
championships this time around, Dementieva re-enters the top 10 with renewed heart and
vigour.
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