Safina Beats Dementieva To Take German Open Title

A former top-10 player, Safina is projected to rise to number 14 from 17.

Dinara Safina of Russia fought back from a set down for the third time in the tournament to win the German Open on Sunday with a 3-6 6-2 6-2 victory over seventh-seeded compatriot Elena Dementieva.

The 22-year-old came from behind to beat world number one Justine Henin and eight-times grand slam winner Serena Williams en route to the final, where she captured her sixth career singles title.

The 13th seed was too erratic in the first set but came back strongly in the second with some lusty hitting and won it with an ace down the middle.

She then broke twice in the deciding set and sealed victory when Dementieva netted a backhand return on the first match point after just over two hours of play on the clay at the Steffi Graf stadium.

Safina, who wins $196,900, had been victorious both times the pair had met on clay while Dementieva, 26, had won the other two of their previous four meetings.

Dementieva beat world number two Ana Ivanovic in straight sets in their semi-final on Saturday and will climb to seventh in the world from ninth when the rankings are updated on Monday.

A former top-10 player, Safina is projected to rise to number 14 from 17.