Elena Dementieva recovered from a set down to beat Serena Williams and land the Kremlin Cup title.
Home victory for Russian in Moscow final
Elena Dementieva gave herself the perfect early birthday present by beating Serena Williams in the Kremlin Cup final.
The Russian, who turns 26 on Monday, recovered from a set down to land the title in her home event for the first time with a 5-7 6-1 6-1 success.
Dementieva was inspired despite dropping the opening set, breaking Williams three times in each of the next two sets to claim a huge victory.
It was some turnaround for the Muscovite, who had never previously taken a set off the Australian Open champion in their four career meetings.
Playing in front of a 10,000-strong crowd, Dementieva, runner-up here in 2001 and in 2004, was able to overcome her nerves to clinch a breakthrough victory and the $182,000 first prize on her second opportunity when Williams put a forehand well wide.
"I made a lot of errors," Williams said. "It was me. Every ball I hit I felt was out. It was so frustrating."
Williams broke in the third set but then lost six consecutive games.
"She (Dementieva) played really unbelievable," said Williams. "She should try to play like that more often."
Dementieva said she was helped by playing in Moscow.
"It's an incredible feeling when you win at home," she said. "I knew that if I did not beat Serena today, it would never happen again. I just stepped on the court and played my tennis."
