Dubai: World No 4 Elena Dementieva of Russia was left basking in the glow of yet another fine achievement in her tennis career when she eased her way past Austrian Sybille Bammer late on Tuesday.
She was pleasantly surprised when tournament organisers brought in a cake to be cut on centre court to mark her 500th career win after she beat Bammer 7-5, 6-2 win.
"I had no idea that I had reached such a big number. I was completely taken by surprise," Dementieva said later.
"I didn't realise I had played so many matches. Every time I step on court, it feels like the first time," she added.
Tuesday's win took Dementieva's singles win-loss record to 500-239 since she turned professional on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour way back in August 1998.
"I just can't imagine that it has been such a long time," she said. "Eventually, it is just a number, but it is a great number."
The 28-year-old Dementieva had a memorable debut in Dubai when she got past Svetlana Kuznetsova in last year's final here. And according to her, Dubai was the place that really launched her onto bigger and better things on the Tour.
"I even got the feeling that I should have come and played here earlier. So many good things happened after I won here last year," Dementieva said.
"Maybe it's the place or its atmosphere or maybe it is the support I have always received here. But I have carried forward so much confidence during the rest of the season last year," she said.
One of the highlights that followed was the Russian's singles gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Dementieva currently has 13 singles titles on the Tour, but a Grand Slam crown has remained elusive.
The Russian player reached the finals at the French Open and the US Open in 2004.
Last year, she had semifinal appearances at Wimbledon and the US Open and a quarterfinal at Roland Garros.
Earlier this year, she made it to the semifinal at Melbourne Park, only to lose to eventual champion Serena Williams.
"No doubt, the records help re-focus. My goals are still pretty much the same. I want to be the No 1 in the world and I also want to win a Grand Slam," Dementieva said.
Supplied picture
Celebration
Dementieva cuts a cake at Dubai Tennis Stadium on the occasion of her 500th career win.
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