Elena Dementieva is one of tennis' rising stars
The 27-year-old Russian Among the Best Women Players in the World
Dementieva, the Gold medal winner at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, may be best known, though, for her remarkable performance in the semifinals of Wimbledon in June of 2009. In the longest women's semifinal ever played at the All-England Club, Dementieva lost to eventual champion Serena Williams, 6-7 (4), 7-5, 8-6.
That she held point at 5-4 in the third set in no way detracts from the performance of a lifetime. She's still looking for a Grand Slam championship but there's no mistaking her championship form.
"It's not something that ticks me off," Dementieva said of her effort against Williams. "It's good experience, a good match. It's all about learning and improving. You have to stay positive because there is always another week, always another try."
World No. 4 Dementieva wasn't about to dwell on her loss. She returned to her native Moscow for some quiet time with her family and friends afterward and never gave tennis another thought.
"When I'm not playing tennis I don't think about it," she said.
A Winning Return to the Court
Dementieva returned to action, making her debut at the Bank of the West Classic and winning her first round match in straight sets.
"I know that, despite working hard, there will be hard times," Dementieva said. "I hope to continue practicing and improving my game. There's nothing like playing good competition."
The Bank of the West Classic is held at the Taube Tennis Center on the campus of Stanford University. While Dementieva was playing her first professional tournament there, she's been there before as a member of the Russian Fed Cup team 10 years earlier.
Surprise Fed Cup Appearance
As a tall, skinny 17-year-old, Dementieva was given the opportunity to gain experience by joining the national team and tagging along.
"The coach told my mom (Vera, who is also her coach) not to worry," she said. "That I wasn't going to play. I was just there for the experience. So I relaxed and enjoyed myself."
The morning of the final matches, while Dementieva was eating breakfast, the Fed Cup coaching staff asked that she bring her tennis rackets along.
"That's when I learned I was playing Venus Williams," she recalled. "I got excited because it was my first time playing a big-time player."
Dementieva, with nothing to lose, beat Williams in three sets: the only point the Russians scored against the United States.
It's been an amazing ride ever since. She's played in 43 consecutive Grand Slam events and has reached at least the semifinal in all four of them. She's played in the final of the 2004 French Open and 2004 U.S. Open.
Dementieva Continues Rapid Ascent
She's still improving too. Enjoying her best season yet, Dementieva rose to a career best No. 3 ranking in April after reaching at least the quarterfinal in eight events.
Dementieva is one of four active players with more than 100 victories in the main event of Grand Slam events. Two of them are named Williams, and the other is Amelie Mauresmo.
Dementieva could get another chance at playing Venus Williams, who has more than evened the score since their Fed Cup match a decade ago. Williams has won eight of their 10 meetings and that could change if they both reach the semifinal at Stanford.
Serena Williams is also in the main draw and is a potential championship match-up.
"I would love to play them again," said Dementieva, with a championship twinkle in her eyes.
Elena Dementieva visits San Francisco
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