Elena finds a way to win Thursday, 18 January, 2001 Sandra HarwittOne way to tell a player has jumped to another level of play is if they can puzzle out a way to win when they're playing like they should lose.

That's just what No.9 seed Elena Dementieva of Russia did in her second round match Thursday morning at the Australian Open.

The talented Dementieva wasn't using her talents to her best advantage as she trailed Andrea Glass of Germany by one set in the second round.

But after struggling through a tight second set, saving one match point to force a final set to be played, Dementieva eventually prevailed 2-6 7-6[6] 6-3 to move into the third round.

"It was a tough match," admitted Dementieva, who reached her first career Grand Slam semifinal at the 2000 US Open.

"She had a match point, so it was tough. I think she played very well today, much better than me. I was just a little bit lucky in the second set."

Dementieva, who survived that match point with Glass leading 5-4, 40-30 when the German smacked a forehand wide to deuce, changed her dress from pink to white after taking the second set.

Nevertheless, the dress swap wasn't an attempt to make a fashion statement at this very fashion-oriented Australian Open - the first dress was, "how do you say, wet - sweaty."

When most people think of female Russian tennis players they instantaneously think of Anna Kournikova.

But now that Dementieva posted a breakout 2000 season - reaching her first major semifinal at Indian Wells followed by semifinal showings at Los Angeles, the US Open and year-end Chase Championships, not to mention taking an Olympic silver medal home to Moscow - this Russian is gaining in notoriety with each day.

"I had a great experience to play and get the silver medal," Dementieva said of her Sydney experience.

"It was the best moment in my life, and of course it's important for me to be in the final in the Olympics than be in the final Grand Slam - there is no question.

"It's great for every player to play for their country, and I was very proud to be there."

Dementieva's mother introduced her to the sport when she was young and then arranged for her daughter to be coached by Marat Safin's mother, Rausa Islanova.

The 19-year-old Dementieva is now just one of a growing number of Russian stars - Kournikova, Elena Likhovtseva, US Open champion Safin, two-time Grand Slam champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov - that are taking front-and-centre roles in the game.

"It's good to be a Russian player," said Dementieva, noting that it isn't easy to becoming a professional player because of the lack of tennis training facilities in the country.

"You can see in the main draw here, we have more than 10 players in the main draw.

"It's my country. I was born there. There is my family, my friends. Everything is there. For me, it's the best place I am - I miss my city when I am on the Tour at the tournaments and I'm very happy to come back."