Berlin: Dinara Safina hailed her win here as the biggest of her career as she battled back from a set down to beat Elena Dementieva in an all-Russian final at the German Open.

The 22-year-old Safina had never lost to her compatriot in their previous two meetings on clay and overcame losing the first set to claim a 3-6,6-2,6-2 win in front of 5,800 spectators.

Safina's sixth WTA tour title was one that most observers here feel she has deserved, having beaten world number one Justine Henin and ended Serena Williams 17-match unbeaten run on the way to the final.

"I'm the happiest person in the world and this has been the biggest success of my career," said Safina.

"When I lost the first set, I thought, there is no way I am going to lose this, come on, give it all you have and win these next two games."

"The drop shots were the key, I think about 18 of the 20 I tried came off and it has something that has really improved during the week," she added.

For beaten finalist Dementieva it was a bitter pill to swallow after taking the first set in comfortable fashion, only to lose to the daughter of her first ever coach.

"I feel, after the first set, I let myself down," said the Russian. "She was serving quite well, I feel like I had some opportunities, but I didn't take my chances."

"I was watching her other games and I knew she was in good shape, she has really had a good week here," she said

This was only the fourth time in the event's 28-year history as a WTA tour event that none of the top six seeds have reached the final.

Source : PTI