• Malaysian Open

Kleybanova beats Dementieva to win first title

ESPN staff
February 28, 2010
Alisa Kleybanova fell in the first round in Dubai last week © Getty Images
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Alisa Kleybanova beat top seed Elena Dementieva in straight sets to win her first tour title at the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.

The fourth seed never allowed her opponent to settle, and looked comfortable throughout as she won 6-3 6-2. After just eight minutes, play was suspended by heavy rain with the first set tied at 1-1.

But Kleybanova came out all guns blazing when play resumed, winning three straight games before the Olympic champion was able to find a response. Dementieva did manage to break her compatriot's serve on one occasion, battling back to 4-3, but Kleybanova broke straight back to serving out the set.

Dementieva created a break point opportunity in the second, but the world No. 29 saved it and served out to love to claim the match.

Dementieva, who already has two titles to her name in 2010, was looking unbeatable as she cruised through to Sunday's final, but she never settled as she slumped to just her third defeat of the year.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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