DEMENTIEVA WILL RETURN FOR MALAYSIA CLASSIC TOURNAMENT

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- After thrilling local tennis fans at the
Showdown of Champion 2009 matches on Dec 19 and 20, world number five Elena
Dementieva of Russia will return to Malaysia next year.

The 28-year-old Russian star, according to events organiser LD Sports Sdn
Bhd, had confirmed her participation for the Malaysia Classics tournament.

The Malaysia Classic tournament is part of the Women's Tennis Association
(WTA) Tour competition and is scheduled for the end of February next year.

"Elena will be competing in the Australian Open, followed by Paris, Dubai
and KL and she will be happy to return to KL after being given first class
hospitality treatment, Malaysian style during the Showdown of Champions," the
tennis star’s mother, Vera was quoted as saying in the statement issued by the
organiser, here Tuesday.

Dementieva, the gold medalist of the 2008 Beijing Olympic, showed her
incredible form during the Showdown of Champions matches held at Stadium
Melawati, Shah Alam.

-- BERNAMA