Elena Dementieva claims victory in Toronto

Elena Dementieva held her nerve in an error-strewn Rogers Cup final to defeat fellow Russian Maria Sharapova 6-4 6-3 in Toronto.

Sharapova was playing in her first final since coming back from a 10-month lay-off due to a shoulder injury, but struggled with her service to concede the first set.

The three-time Grand Slam winner could not find any rhythm sending down nine double faults in an opening set during which she was broken in four of her five service games.

Fourth seed Dementieva, who had raced out to a 4-1 lead, was hardly much better herself as she twice was broken to give Sharapova some hope at 5-4.

It was, however, not much of a surprise when Sharapova passed up the chance to go level on her own serve, as she was broken to hand Dementieva the first set.

Dementieva had beaten favourite Serena Williams in their semi-final to book her place in today's final and she started to show signs of that form in the second set as both players traded service games.

Dementieva led 3-2 in the set when she got the decisive break on Sharapova, who was now serving better, but it was not enough as Dementieva held her nerve to win on her third match point.

The victory was Dementieva's third WTA Tour title of the year.