Kleybanova outmanoeuvres Dementieva to win crown

Inexperienced Russian Alisa Kleybanova fired a barrage of powerful baseline shots and aces to clinch the crown over compatriot Elena Dementieva in the final of the Malaysian Open on Sunday.

The 21-year-old Kleybanova dominated the match in humid conditions and won 6-3, 6-2 in just over 100 minutes.

Fourth seed Kleybanova pressured first seed Dementieva into making unforced errors to gain her first WTA title, for which she pockets 37,000 dollars.

Kleybanova was intelligent with her serves, setting up easy forehand hits to win points.

“Yes, I am definitely happy to win the tournament. It has been a tough week for me,” she said.

The match was suspended in the first set for 95 minutes due to rain.

On resumption, Kleybanova continued to play an aggressive game and stayed with the rallies, unintimidated by 28-year-old seventh-ranked Dementieva’s booming baseline shots. Dementieva pushed Kleybanova out of the court on many occasions but Kleybanova’s deep baseline volleys and precision returns won her points.

Both players fought hard but Kleybanova outclassed Dementieva in all aspects of the game and scored four aces.The ice-cool Kleybanova was an unstoppable force and ended the match with a powerful serve.

There were excellent rallies but favourite Dementieva failed to squeeze the ball in and struggled on her serves.

“I congratulate Alisa. It was a great win for her,” she said.

At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Dementieva defeated compatriot Dinara Safina in the gold-medal final to win the singles title.

She recently grabbed title wins in Sydney and Paris.

AFP