Martina Hingis suffered a shock 6-2 6-2 defeat by Russian Elena Dementieva in their Kremlin Cup quarter-final match earlier today. Hingis, the top seed and defending champion, was beaten by eighth seed Dementieva in just one hour and ten minutes. It was the first time Dementieva had ever beaten Hingis.
"What can be better than to beat the world's best player," said a delighted Dementieva, before adding "I have been waiting for this rematch for a very long time." World number one Hingis was gracious in defeat, and paid tribute to her Russian conqueror. "When I first played her at the Australian Open years ago, I knew she would be a very good player, and today she proved that she can beat the top player."
Dementieva will now face fellow Russian Anastasia Myskina in the semi-finals, after the latter upset Barbara Schett 6-4 6-2 earlier today. The other semi-final will be contested between sixth seed Silvia Farina Elia and fifth seed Jelena Dockic. Farina Elia came through 1-6 7-6 6-4 against Daja Bedanova, while Dokic defeated Francesca Schiavone 6-2 6-0.
In the men's singles semi-finals, Yevgeny Kafelnikov will play against Tommy Haas, with Dominic Hrbaty facing Nicolas Kiefer.
Filed by Tom Grealis
