Dementieva digs deep for title

Top seed Elena Dementieva fought back from a set down to claim the title at the Open GDF Suez in Paris with a hard-fought 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 6-4 victory over Lucie Safarova.

The Russian world No.7 had to dig deep for victory and go one better than last year when she lost to Amelie Mauresmo in the final in a match which lasted more than two and a quarter hours.

The match was full of big serving, Dementieva producing nine aces and Safarova five.

However, it was Safarova, who had upset second seed Flavia Pennetta to reach Sunday's final, who claimed the first set in a tie-breaker as she looked to improve on her 2007 showing when she lost to Nadia Petrova at the same stage.

Dementieva romped through the second set but the decider was far closer with the Czech player saving match point on her own serve and holding to go to 5-4.

Safarova led in that final game but eventually Dementieva prevailed to take victory 6-4 in the last set.

In Thailand, Russia's Vera Zvonareva got the better of local hope Tamarine Tanasugarn, claiming a 6-4 6-4 final win to complete a successful defence of her Pattaya Open title.

Zvonereva established a 3-0 lead in the first set and it looked like the home fans could be disappointed, but Tanasugarn fought back to ensure it was a tense encounter in front of a vocal crowd.

"I'd like to congratulate Tammy for coming back here and playing so well this week. The Thai people are so proud of her," said Zvonareva, who became the first player to defend the title in the tournament's history.

"For me, I'm very happy to come back and defend my title this year."