Wozniacki recovers to beat Dementieva in Tokyo final

TOKYO (AP)?Top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki recovered from a slow start to beat Elena Dementieva 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 in Saturday?s final of the Pan Pacific Open.

Dementieva, who won here in 2006, raced to a 4-0 lead and won the first set when Wozniacki double-faulted. But the world No. 2 found her game in the second set and won the match when the Russian double-faulted in the final game.

?Elena was playing well in the first set, getting a lot of first shots in,? Wozniacki said. ?In the second set I really didn?t have anything to lose so I just tried to get some more depth on the balls and make her run a little more.?

The seventh-seeded Dementieva had a chance to keep the momentum in the second set when she was up 40-love in the third game, but Wozniacki fought back to break and take a 2-1 lead.

?That was an opportunity I didn?t use,? Dementieva said. ?I had a chance on my serve at 40-love. I couldn?t finish the game and she got back in the match.?

Wozniacki can overtake Serena Williams as No. 1 in the world rankings if she reaches the quarterfinals or better at the China Open in Beijing next week.

?Being No. 1 has always been a goal of mine, but right now I am just focusing on winning the next tournament,? Wozniacki said.

Wozniacki, who has won five WTA titles this year, improved to 4-3 against Dementieva who is 11th in the world.

The 20-year-old Dane said her level of fitness has helped improve her game.

?A few things have happened,? Wozniacki said. ?I?ve grown a bit. Not only physically but mentally as well and I feel I can beat anyone now.?

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