Asia-Pacific News
Dementieva sets up Russian showdown in Auckland
Jan 9, 2009, 8:35 GMT
Auckland - Russians Elena Dementieva set up an all-Russian Saturday final with compatriot Elena Vesnina at the ASB Classic with a one-hour victory sweep into the title match.
The world number four was untroubled by the game of France's number 97 Arivane Rezai, producing a 6-2, 6-2 result.
By contrast, Vesnina was forced to work by Britain's Anne Keothavong to obtain a 6-7 (3-7), 6-1, 7-5 semi-final win.
Dementieva owns victory from her only other meeting with Vesnina from 2006.
Rezai played fast and loose as she went unsuccessfully for winners against Dementieva.
'That's why she missed sometimes,' said the experienced Russian. 'It's tough to stay in long rallies by just hitting so hard.'
Vesnina needed four match points to finally hold off the determined Keothavong as the Russian reached her first WTA final.

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