Dementieva Wins Title

In a closely contested final on Sunday, Elena Dementieva of Russia held her nerve to overcome Serbian Jelena Jankovic to win the Los Angeles Open. The World No. 6 Elena Dementieva held off a strong challenge from World No. 29 to win 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

The 21-year-old Jankovic, who upset seven-time grand slam champion Serena Williams in the semi final, came back strongly in the second set after Dementieva had tamed her in the first set. So with one set each, the third set was to be the decider.

The third set seemed a cake-walk for Dementieva who stormed to a 3-0 lead. To add to Jankovic woes, she had to take a medical time out due to heat sickness. It seemed a lost cause for Jankovic with score card reading 5-0 in favour of Dementeva in the final set.

"She's very unpredictable," Dementieva said after the match. She sure is. Talking of the third set, Jankovic came right back in the game to make the scoreboard read 5-4. However, Dementieva converted her third match point into victory.

Upset over the loss, Jankovic admitted that the heat took its toll on her and she struggled with her serve. "I wanted to come back, so I didn't give up," she said. "I told myself to fight every point, even when I felt tired and dizzy. I knew I could break her, but the problem was holding my serve."

Dementieva, on the other hand was very optimistic about the game and her future "I was a very consistent. We were both tired, but when you play for the title, you only feel fatigue after the match. For me to get another title really means a lot." "I feel like its just starting for me. I feel like I'm just getting to my best game……I just need one more step. I'm young enough and I can make it in the future. It's just taken me a little longer."

With her second title of the year and sixth of her career, the Russian is likely to storm into the top five on the WTA Tour rankings.