Dementieva knocked out
ByReuters
Published 26/10/2005 at 15:45 GMT
Second seed Elena Dementieva slumped to a 6-3 7-5 defeat by Kveta Peschke of the Czech Republic in the second round of the Linz Open on Wednesday. After her defeat the Russian said she had given up any hope of qualifying for the season-ending WTA Champion
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
"I'm not disappointed," said Dementieva, who reached the U.S. Open semi-finals and helped Russia to win the Fed Cup this season.
"It's not the end of the world. It was a very good season for me and I did everything I could to be there."
Peschke, who is enjoying a career renaissance after undergoing two left knee operations, was the more consistent player and her powerful forehand gave her the edge over Dementieva for most of the match.
Dementieva began well, breaking to lead 1-0 with a fine return. But she then earned just four points in the next four games as Peschke took control.
Predictably, Dementieva's unreliable serve played a part in her struggle. She double-faulted twice to drop her opening service game, and a third gave Peschke break point to lead 5-1.
Peschke briefly lost her momentum and was broken as she tried to serve out the set, but closed it out at her second attempt.
In the second set Dementieva held the opening game to love, but faced break points in all of her five remaining service games.
The pair exchanged breaks at 1-0 and again at 3-3, but when
Dementieva netted a backhand at the end of a long rally to fall behind 6-5 there was no way back and Peschke served out the match to love.
"She was playing very well and it was a tough first match for me," added Dementieva.
"I'm just going home now. Vacation is starting for me. It was a long season and I just feel so tired of travelling and flying, so I need some time at home with my family."
SUGIYAMA WIN
Russian fifth seed Elena Likhovtseva was also beaten 6-1 4-6 7-5 by Ai Sugiyama of Japan after looking at one stage as if she might not be able to finish the match.
Playing with her left thigh heavily strapped, Likhovtseva barely competed in the opening few games and Sugiyama was able to play with complete freedom.
Sitting with her head in her hands during the change of ends after Sugiyama had raced to a 5-0 lead, Likhovtseva appeared on the verge of retiring.
But she unexpectedly found a way to challenge and won the second.
In the third set, Sugiyama led 5-2 but Likhovtseva again fought back until eventually Sugiyama held three match points at 6-5.
Likhovtseva saved the first with a winning forehand, Sugiyama netted a backhand on the second, and Likhovtseva netted a weak attempt at a drop-shot on the third to finally concede the match.
In other first round results, Austrian Tamira Paszek knocked out Elena Vesnina of Russia 7-6 (8-6) 1-6 7-5 and Swede Sofia Arvidsson beat Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic 6-1 6-2.
Scan me
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement