Dementieva crushes hobbling Serena at Sydney International - January 16, 2010

Russia's Elena Dementieva defeated a hobbling Serena Williams 6-3 6-2 at the Olympic tennis centre yesterday to win the Sydney International for the second year in a row.

Dementieva outplayed the world number one, who was troubled by a sore left knee that restricted her movement on court.

Williams said later the injury was not serious and would not prevent her from playing at the Australian Open but had distracted her.

"It's just a little pain and the strapping usually helps the pain go away sometimes," Williams said.

Dementieva's win was her fifth in 12 meetings with Williams and provided her with her 15th WTA title and her second in Sydney after she beat Dinara Safina in last year's final.

"I'm very satisfied the way I was playing today and the whole week," said Dementieva, who received the trophy from Margaret Court.

"That's what I was really looking for coming here in Sydney, just playing aggressively and playing with a lot of pressure.

Men's final
Richard Gasquet and Marcos Baghdatis advanced to the Sydney International final. Gasquet defeated his fellow Frenchman Julien Benneteau 6-3 7-5. Baghdatis had to work much harder before booking his place in the title match with a 6-4 6-7 7-6 victory over American Mardy Fish.