Elena Dementieva Secures Doha Win

Elena Dementieva battled back in her final round robin match against Samantha Stosur yesterday to get a much needed, confidence boosting win.

Despite the defeat Stosur had already done enough to move into the final four of the year end tournament in Doha with wins against Francesca Schiavone and Caroline Wozniacki earlier this week.

But it was the Australian who made the brighter start as she capitalised on the double faults that were plaguing Dementieva's game and she was broken early.

But the Russian reeled off a string of game to level the set at 4-4 and she looked back in the game. But Stosur crushed her confidence when she broke again and too the set 6-4.

And it was Dementieva who struck first in the second set as she broke early to take the lead. But Stosur, who reached the French Open final this summer, as she hit back.

But the Russian dug deep to get a second break in the ninth game to lead 5-4 and served out the set to level the match at one a piece.

Into the third and neither players could fashion a break, as Stosur missed both chances that came her way, and a tie break was needed to decide the match.

It was all Dementieva in that breaker as she opened up a 6-2 lead to have four match points. after seeing two pass her by she finally wrapped up the match 4-6 6-4 7-6 (7-4).

Speaking to the WTA after the match Dementieva said: "It wasn't easy to play today after losing to Caroline very easily, but I just tried to improve and be ready for today.

"Sam had a great win last night. I tried to fight for every point. I'm really enjoying my time here, it's very special for me to be here in Doha playing the WTA Championships."

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw