Dementieva crushes hobbling Serena in Sydney final

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Russia's Elena Dementieva defeated a hobbling Serena Williams 6-3 6-2 at the Olympic tennis center Friday to win the Sydney International for the second year in a row.

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

Williams started the match with the knee already strapped and although she finished the match, she seemed distracted by the injury, missing a string of shots she would normally make in a worrying sign ahead of next week's Australian Open.

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

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Elena Dementieva - Game Profile

Date of Birth: 10/15/81

Nation: Russia

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 141 lbs

Turned Pro: 1998

Best Singles Grand Slams: Finalist at US Open and Roland Garros in 2004.

Plays: Right-handed, with two-handed backhand.

Basic Style: Power baseliner.

Greatest Strengths: Deep, powerful forehand. Solid backhand. Great speed and determination.

Room for Improvement: Elena hits most first serves at relatively slow speeds with heavy slice, usually to the right-handed opponent's forehand. Opponents who get used to this serve can anticipate and attack it.

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