Dementieva powers past Kulikova
WIMBLEDON
Date: 22 June - 5 July
 Dementieva had few problems on a balmy Friday afternoon |
Fourth seed Elena Dementieva eased into the fourth round after seeing off fellow Russian Regina Kulikova 6-1 6-2.
The reigning Olympic champion sailed through the opener and despite a break in the second set, wrapped up the win.
Eighth seed Victoria Azarenka edged out Sorana Cirstea and Nadia Petrova, 10th seed, beat Gisela Dulko in three sets.
An ankle injury forced Russia's seventh seed Vera Zvonareva to withdraw ahead of her third-round clash with France's 26th seed Virginie Razzano.
One seed to fall on Friday was Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova, world ranked 14, who lost in three tight sets to Russian Elena Vesnina 7-5 4-6 6-4.
It was tough luck on 24-year-old Zvonareva, who reached the semi-finals of this year's Australian Open.
Her enforced exit was not a big surprise. She has struggled since injuring her right ankle in April which ruled her out for eight weeks and meant she missed the French Open.
Dementieva, 26 and another star from Moscow, blew her opponent away in the first set as she conceded just one game.
After breaking at the start of the second, Dementieva was in cruise-control but Kulikova showed signs of her potential talent when she broke back to level at 1-1.
It was an effort appreciated by the Court One crowd and despite a handful of dazzling ralleys, the expected-rain was the only thing that was going to halt Dementieva's dominance and she soon served out to wrap up the win.
Dementieva, who next plays Vesnina, told BBC Sport: "I was focused and very aggressive and I am satisfied with the way I am playing.
"Even a match that finished 6-1 6-2 we had some good rallies and it was a good match to prepare for the tougher matches that are coming up.
Kulikova win was good test - Dementieva
Commenting on Kulikova, who had come through qualifying and then won two matches on her Grand Slam debut, Dementieva added: "She is a very good player. She was very impressive through the whole week.
"Maybe I was too aggressive for her and just didn't really give her a chance to play her game.
"I'm sure it was a very nervous moment for her to step on to Court One, such a big stadium, and play for the first time. I think she needs some experience for sure."
Petrova, 27, took a long to settle against the unseeded Dulko, with the elegant Argentine grabbing the first set.
However, Dulko, who dumped out Maria Sharapova in the previous round, looked increasingly tense and after losing the second set, her erratic errors proved costly, despite a valiant effort in the final game of the match.
Petrova came through winning 3-6 6-3 6-4.
Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova had few problems in seeing off Japan's Ai Sugiyama 6-4 6-3 to make the fourth round.
