Serena Loses Sydney Final to Dementieva, Spins Loss

by Staff | January 15th, 2010, 10:56 am
  • 7 Comments

After Serena Williams went Mike Tyson on a linesperson at the US Open, you thought her 2010 would be free of drama? Think again.
ADHEREL
Serena, who earlier this month when asked about retaining the No. 1 ranking in 2010 replied, “Everyone assumes that I’m No. 1 anyway,” lost in the WTA Sydney final on Saturday to Russian Elena Dementieva 6-3, 6-2 when the younger Williams sister’s chronic knee problem flared up.

Dementieva is the first woman since Martina Hingis in 2001 and 2002 to win Sydney in consecutive years.

“I’m very satisfied with the way I was playing today and the whole week,” Dementieva said. “It’s just great to have a chance to play against the best players in the world this week, especially coming into the Grand Slam. Right now I just want to enjoy the moment of winning Sydney.”


Williams had little chance with her hampered court movement as the Russian tacked groundstrokes corner to corner, hitting a flurry of winners throughout the contest.

“It’s just a little pain and the strapping usually helps the pain go away sometimes,” said Williams of her strapped left knee. “I haven’t played for two months on a competitive level, so I think it’s good for my body to go through this now, especially since I’m in doubles as well as singles. I think it’s a great blessing in a way. I played four matches and my body hasn’t been used to it. Now we’re ready and ready to go.”

Set your post-match conference to “spin.”

No word on if the younger Williams sister’s “blessing” will hamper her effort beginning next week at the Australian Open.

The women’s doubles final was won by top seeds Cara Black and Liezel Huber, who defeated Tathiana Garbin and Nadia Petrova 6-1, 3-6, 10-3.


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7 Comments for Serena Loses Sydney Final to Dementieva, Spins Loss

Clandestino Says:

What a shock. Serena making excuses after a loss. So out of character.


puckbandit Says:

It will be very hard for Serena to be less gracious this year in pre and post match pressers than in previous years. However, I’m confident that she is up to the task!


marvin Says:

As arrogant as Serena’s statement is, in reality it’s probably the truth. Even listening to alot of the other players speak, they also believe it.


Karly Says:

When does she ever play without a supposed injury? Every loss, and almost before every tourney, we’re told by commentators or her reps that she has a “problem” and how incredible she is to rise above these “problems”…. Serena certainly knows how to make an excuse beforehand, or at least let the commentators and writers do it for her. No surprise at all if she shows up at Melbourne suddenly, healed, I mean after all,in the early rounds, she won’t be facing the likes of Dementieva, who she probably knew she was going lose to. In her usual fashion, when the match started slipping away, she started grimacing and moaning and limping for the cameras, oddly enough though, when it was time for the trophy celebration, she seemed to have little trouble walking to the podium at a nice quick clip! ROFL In her case it’s not rope a dope, it’s Mope a dope


Gloria Grady Says:

Serena Williams just can’t accept losing graciously. Dementieva beat her because she played better today. We can all see through your excuses Serena so just knock it off. I just hope she gets Henin in the first round of the AO and that Henin beats her so we can enjoy the rest of the fortnight’s tennis.


Kimmi Says:

Gloria, she won’t get henin..she has the easiest draw of all the top players. Demantieva get henin in second round and clijsters is in the same Qtr. how lucky for serena….meet her in the final.


Riga Says:

Will be hard for Dementieva to get in to the semis AO.

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