Filderstadt (Germany), Oct 09: Dementieva ran her record to 11-1 in her last three tournaments when Petrova sent a forehand long to end the match in 73 minutes. She had lost five of her previous six matches against her countrywoman.
The rising Russians now have nine of the top 35, more than any other country, and four of the top 15, second only to the Americans' five. With Maria Sharapova winning at Tokyo, they have won every international event since the US Open.
Dementieva said the Russians are friends, which hasn't been affected by their growing rivalry yet.
"We're all friends. We all go out together. Sometimes it's difficult, but we're definitely friends," she said.
In other matches, Japan's Ai Sugiyama ousted Israel's Anna Pistolesi, 6-2 6-1 and American Chanda Rubin beat Russian Vera Zvonareva in three sets, 1-6 6-4 6-3.



Most of the big names including Clijsters, Lindsay Davenport and Jennifer Capriati first see action today.



Clijsters, fighting a sore ankle, will lose her no. 1 ranking if Henin-Hardenne reaches the final and she doesn't. If both do, the winner takes the top spot.


Bureau Report