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Elena Dementieva - Source: Photosport -
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Russian superstar Elena Dementieva continued her seemingly
unstoppable march towards the 2009 ASB Classic title, overwhelming
Frenchwoman Arvane Rezai 6-2 6-2 in the first semi-final on
Friday.
The world number four Dementieva was mostly untroubled in disposing
of the powerful but erratic Rezai in just over one hour.
There were some wonderful rallies to entertain the large crowd, but
all too often the 21-year Frenchwoman was undone by unforced
errors, making 12 in the first set alone.
Dementieva admitted afterwards she had taken a wary approach
against the dangerous world number 77.
"I was trying to be patient, taking my chances but also being aggressive."
Rezai has six career wins over top-20 players and made a promising start in her bid for seven.
In the first few games of the match she matched the 27-year-old Russian from the baseline, at times overpowering her as the players traded early breaks.
But then the errors crept in, and the consistent Russian strode
away with the first set 6-2 in just 33 minutes, smashing eight
clean winners in the process.
It was quite symbolic that when facing set point in the first set,
Rezai came up with a double fault at the worst possible time.
The second set followed a similar pattern. Rezai in contention for
a time but worn down by clever play from the Russian and undone by
her own mistakes.
At 5-2 and the change of ends, 'It's now or never' rang out over the courtside speakers.
Rezai knew this very well but showed no sign of making any
alterations to her fairly one dimensional game plan.
At just over the hour mark, a Rezai service return flew long to
hand the match to the efficient, popular Russian.
Dementieva has improved with every match at the 2009 ASB Classic
this week and it is hard to imagine anyone denying her the
title.
But she is not giving anything away.
"I was very focused today and I'm taking [the final] very
seriously."
Dementieva will face fellow Russian and world number 79 Elena
Vesnina or British surprise packet Anne Keothavong (world number
60) in Saturday's final.
