Berlin: Defending champion Ana Ivanovic of Serbia crashed out of the German Open at the semi-final stage after a straight sets defeat to Elena Dementieva.

Dementieva, whom Ivanovic has never beaten in their four contests, now faces giantkilling compatriot Dinara Safina in an all-Russia final.

After losing the first set 6-2,Ivanovic had few answers to Dementieva's impressive start but the 20-year-old Serb rallied and fought back in the second, only for the Russian to pull away with a 7-5 win yesterday.

Dementieva said: "It's going to be amazing to have a Russian final, I haven't played her (Safina) for a long time. I'm really looking forward to it."

She added: "I enjoyed the semi-final, Ana is a great player and I really gave my best today. It is never easy playing against her, but I was really focused and I worked hard for every single point."

Ivanovic said she was pleased to have made it the semi-finals during her first tournament on clay this season.

"Playing the first time on clay is difficult, so I am happy that I came through to the semis, because I had a tough week with one late game and one to continue earlier today," she said.

Meanwhile, Safina booked her place in Sunday's final with a straight sets win over teenager Victoria Azarenka.

The Russian secured a 6-4,6-1 win over the 18-year-old Belarrussian, who struggled with injury in the second set.

Azarenka, who knocked out seeds Anna Chadvetadze and Alona Bondarenko on the way to the semi-final, looked very strong early on with some superb shots to the base-line.

"She really played well and there was plenty of pressure from her returns," said Safina. "I hung in there, she was cramping up in the second set which was unlucky for her."

And having lost on her last two Tier I final appearances, Safina says she is determined to make it third time lucky.

"It is going to be a big match for me and, yes, I believe that the third time it will be my lucky time."

Source : PTI