Elena Dementieva

• Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
• DOB: October 15, 1981
• Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
• Height: 5' 11" (1.80 m)
• Weight: 141 lbs. (64 kg)
• Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Biography

Dementieva is an offensive baseline player. Her primary groundstroke is her forehand, which she hits hard and flat. In particular, her running forehand, which she rarely misses, is a key weapon for Dementieva when she's on the defensive.

Dementieva is also known for her athleticism and speed around the court. Dementieva makes few net approaches except to return drop shots or to take advantage of weak returns from her opponents. She has no particular favourite surface, as her playing ability allows her to adapt easily on each surface. Her poorest results however have been on grass courts.

Dementieva's primary weakness is her serve, which can be inconsistent in tight situations. However, she has shown improvement in this area since 2008, committing fewer double faults and occasionally managing aces. Dementieva also squanders her chances of closing matches sometimes, resulting in a huge number of her matches having to go on to a third set. Sadly however, since her loss in Paris in February 2009, Dementieva's serve has been slightly weaker again, particularly in the French Open, where she lost in the 3rd Round. Her biggest result has been a semi-final in Charleston. Her 2009 clay court season was very poor for Dementieva's standards.

Dementieva played and won her first international tournament, Les Petit As, in France at the age of 13. In 1997, she entered the WTA top 500. She turned professional in 1998 and entered the top 100 in 1999.

Career History