By DPA,
Auckland : Olympic women’s tennis champion Elena Dementieva completed a dream week to start her 2009 season, winning the ASB Classic title 6-4, 6-1 Saturday over Elena Vesnina without dropping a set all week.
The fourth-ranked Dementieva stands in good form for the Australian Open with just nine days to go before the start of the first Grand Slam of 2009.
The 27-year-old needed just 88 minutes to secure success over her fellow Russian.
“I played some good tennis, especially in the semi-final and final. It’s been a great beginning of the year,” the winner said after lifting her 12th career crown.
Vesnina, ranked 76th, was competing in her first final and playing against her doubles partner this week.
Dementieva overcame a slow start before revving up to win five of six games to claim the first set.
The winner is on a mission to improve her form at the Australian Open, the only major where the 2004 French and US Open finalist has failed to reach the last eight.