China’s Rising Star Upsets Dementieva

Peng matched Dementieva stroke for stroke during the one-hour and 35-minute contest and proved to be the steadier player from the baseline during the match which took place on Stadium Court.

Dementieva jumped out to a 5-3 lead in the first set, which featured seven breaks of serve. Peng came back to win four games in a row to capture the set.

In the second set with the scored tied 4-4, Dementieva fell behind 15-40 on her serve. The Russian managed to fight off one break point. At 30-40, Peng ripped a service return which jammed Dementieva who could only hit a weak backhand into the net.

With the break and 5-4 lead in hand, Peng served for the match to the delight of the afternoon crowd.

Peng fell behind 0-30 when she double faulted to open the game and hit a backhand into the net.

She won the next two points to make it 30-30 and earned her first match point when she stroked a beautiful backhand down the line winner for a 40-30 lead.

The match ended on the next point as Dementieva’s backhand slice landed in the net.

• Peng advances to a third round match against the winner of the Alina Jidkova / Dinara Safina match.
• Peng is ranked 46 in the world.
• Peng is making her Acura Classic debut.
• Peng improves her 2005 match record to 16-10.
• Peng resides in Boca Raton, Fla.
• This was the first meeting between Peng and Dementieva.
• Dementieva is ranked sixth in the world.
• Dementieva is now 26-11 in 2005.
• Dementieva was playing in her sixth Acura Classic.

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