Pacific Life Open – All results of day eight.

TeamWTA Photo
By Etienne Stekelenburg
March 17 2005

Elena Dementieva reached the Pacific Life Open semi final after defeating Svetlana Kuznetsova in three sets, 3-6, 6-3 and 7-5. US Open Champion Kuznetsova wasted her chance to win hitting a double fault on Dementieva’s matchpoint. Dementieva was again on the verge of defeat in this tournament.

Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova had beaten her compatriot Elena Dementieva twice after winning last years’ US Open final. Again Kuznetsova had the best chances to win for the third time but this in this match she could not hold on in the third set.

"I think I played much better than I did in the final last year in the U.S. Open," said fourth seed Dementieva. "So I think it was a great match. We both play very well”.

"I think she's the most powerful player on the tour. She's very strong. It was a tough match, so I'm very happy to win."

Fifth seed Kuznetsova could break for a lead in the third set but was broken on her service game. The US Open champion was about to break Dementieva again but the French Open and US Open finalist held on for 4-3.

Kuznetsova was serving for 6 all when double faults ended the match. She hits her first double fault and falls 0-40 behind. After saving four match points she produced her second double faults ending the match 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Elena Dementieva will meet Belgian Kim Clijsters who defeated Conchita Martinez of Spain also in three sets, 6-1, 3-6, 6-2. Both Clijsters and Martinez are former Pacific Life Open champions.

Clijsters is on her way back from her wrist injury that held away from tennis most of the 2004 season. Now dropped to # 133 on the WTA Tour Ranking, she is making her comeback in her second tournament of this year.

"I didn't expect to be playing or to be seeing the ball as well as I have been over the last two tournaments I have played," said Clijsters, "You always have a moment where you're going to fall back a little bit. So I'm just taking it easy, not trying to be all too happy about the way I'm playing and focus”.

"I'm doing what I can to recover well. I'm really happy with the way I'm playing, not that I'm trying to tell everybody."

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

Singles - Quarterfinals
(4) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. (5) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 36 63 75
Kim Clijsters (BEL) d. (23) Conchita Martinez (ESP) 61 36 62

Doubles - Quarterfinals
(2) Petrova/Shaughnessy (RUS/USA) d. Garbin/Loit (ITA/FRA) 61 62
(Q) Kirilenko/Salerni (RUS/ARG) d. Granville/Lee (USA/TPE) 63 61

Thursday, March 17, 2005

Stadium 1 (from 12.00hrs)
1. Davenport vs. Dechy
2. ATP: Canas vs. Henman (from 14.00hrs)
3. ATP: Allegro/Kohlmann vs. Bryan/Bryan
4. Sharapova vs. Pierce (NB 19.00hrs)
5. ATP: Federer or Ljubicic vs. Kiefer (NB 20.30hrs)

Stadium 2 (from 10.00hrs)
1. ATP: Arthurs/Hanley vs. Black/Ullyett
2. ATP: Bjorkman/Mirnyi vs. Etlis/Rodriguez
3. Ruano Pascual/Suarez vs. Likhovtseva/Martinez (NB 13.30hrs)
4. ATP: Knowles/Nestor vs. Paes/Zimonjic