Serena Loses Sydney Final to Dementieva, Spins Loss
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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