Bovina Against Dechy in Shockingly-bad CBS-televised WTA New Haven Final

No. 2-seeded Elena "The Diagnosis is" Dementieva continued her habit of getting thumped in the later rounds in 2004, Friday at the WTA stop in New Haven laying down before countrywoman No. 7 Elena "Lina" Bovina 6-1, 6-1 in the semifinals.

The Russian Dementieva is still without a title in 2004 after getting blown out in finals at Miami (l. to Serena) and the French Open (l. to Anastasia "Marilyn Manson" Myskina), failing to win more than three games in either contest. Dementieva's glaring weakness continues to be her soft-serve ice cream second-service delivery, which finds the net like a choke-seeking missile at inopportune times.

Dementieva double-faulted twice to start the first set and give Bovina the break. Bovina on the other hand hurt her Russian counterpart with serves regularly topping 100 mph.

"I was concentrating on my serve, because I think that's my main weapon," said Lina Lina Bovina, who had only reached one quarterfinal this year going into New Haven.

In the final Lina Lina will face No. 8 seed Nathalie Dechy of France, who spanked wildcard American Lisa Raymond 6-4, 6-0 despite pulling a neck muscle in the middle of the first set.

"She's playing well, and I think I just came out a little too flat tonight," Raymond said. "I'm definitely disappointed in myself."

The all-injured final will be Bovina (back injury) against Dechy (neck injury), with their career meetings tied 1-1. Just the dream final broadcaster CBS was hoping for.

The doubles final will be (2)Petrova/Shaughnessy (d. (4)Molik/Serna in three in the semis) against (3)Navratilova/Raymond (d. (1)Black/Stubbs). Maybe CBS will throw on the doubles final instead of the singles.