Olympic champion Elena Dementieva defeated fellow Russian Elena Vesnina 6-4 6-1 to lift the title in Auckland, and Victoria Azarenka from Belarus overcame Marion Bartoli of France 6-3 6-1 in Brisbane to earn her first career title.

"The way I was thinking on court was very different from before," said Azarenka, who had lost her previous four finals. "I was playing every point, no matter what happened. I wasn't thinking about the fact that I was playing in a final. I was thinking it was a regular match, regular points. There weren't any nerves. I think that helped me today. I don't really believe I've won yet. Everybody says the third time is the charm, but for me it's the fifth one - I'm just glad I finally got it!"

Dementieva appreciated the great support she received, and she was especially thrilled to have earned her victory without the usual guiding hand of her coach and mother.

"The crowd's support was awesome, not just today but all week," Dementieva said. "It was a pleasure to come here and play this tournament. We all really felt at home here, it was very nice. And for the first time my mom isn't here with me, so I'm especially happy to take this trophy back home for her."

Kvitova Sets Off On The Road To Bali
Petra Kvitova is the latest player to put herself in contention for a place in the Commonwealth Bank Tennis Championships, winning the first major title of her career by defeating Iveta Benesova 7-5 6-1 in Hobart.

All the winners of the WTA International Series events will join the Road To Bali, with the players who earn most points at those tournaments throughout the season qualifying for the $600,000 finale to be held at the Bali Convention Centre, Westin Hotel, Nusa Dua, between 8th and 14th November.

The conditions in Hobart added to the challenge, but the 18-year old stuck to the task well.

"It was very windy and cold, and when she came back to make it 5-5 in the first set I was very nervous," said Petra after the match. "Then I started focusing on every point and I started playing well again. The second set was much quicker. I'm very, very happy. I really like it here, so it's exciting for me to win my first title here."

Petra, whose tennis idol as she grew up was Martina Navratilova because they are both left-handed, also admires Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova, and she trains at the same club as seasoned pros Tomas Berdych and Lucie Safarova. She speaks Czech, Russian and English, and she also enjoys basketball and volleyball. Her favourite foods are pizza and pasta, and her favourite drink is apple juice, and she likes listening to U2.