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Russian Rally: Elena Dementieva Wins 10 Straight Games To Top Nadia Petrova
By Alberto Amalfi
Photo Credit: Costantini/Internazionali BNL D'Italia
(June 1, 2010) Nadia Petrova characterized her all-Russian quarterfinal clash with Elena Dementieva as "like a battle to the death."
Down a set today, Dementieva didn't need a defibrillator to spark some life in her legs — she dug in and staged a revival shot by shot.
The fifth-seeded Dementieva overcame a slow start to capture 10 consecutive games in closing out a 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 French Open quarterfinal victory over Petrova, who was slowed by a strained abductor and leg.
It is Dementieva's fifth major semifinal in her last eight Grand Slam tournament appearances. She reached the Australian Open and Wimbledon semifinals last season.
Dementieva, the 2004 Roland Garros runner-up to Anastasia Myskina, will play first-time semifinalist Francesca Schiavone for a spot in Saturday's final. Schiavone became the first Italian woman to reach a semifinal in the Open Era with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over third-seeded Caroline Wozniacki in today's first quarterfinal.
Dementeiva has won four of six meetings with Schiavone, including their lone clay-court clash which came five years ago in Fed Cup competition.
Two-time French Open semifinalist Petrova pounded second-seeded Venus Williams, 6-4, 6-3, to advance to the French Open quarterfinals for the first time since 2005.
"It's my most dramatic French Open," said Petrova, after spoiling French hopes in fighting off three match points to outlast 15th-seeded Frenchwoman Aravane Rezai, 6-7(2), 6-4, 10-8 in the third round.
Resuming one of the longest-running rivalries on the WTA Tour, Dementieva and Petrova had split their 14 matches in a sereis that dates back to 1997, with Dementieva winning their last four meetings.
The Petrova forehand, typically her most vulnerable and inconsistent shot, held up beautifully during the first set. She pounded a backhand return winner down the line to seal the opening set.
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