Sydney - Olympic champion Elena Dementieva won her second WTA title in as many weeks with a defeat of Dinara Safina 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 at the Medibank International on Friday.

The Russian managed to edge past her compatriot, who was playing a second final in eight days after the Hopman Cup a week ago in Perth.

Dementieva has dropped just one set this week after also claiming the trophy in Auckland. She ended last season with a title in Luxembourg.

Dementieva won the first set but ceded to Safina in the second as the challenger broke twice. But Dementieva recovered in the third to snatch victory after nearly two hours.

"I guess I was not hitting the ball enough, because I know if I hit the ball fully hard it's not easy to catch my ball," said Safina. "If I hit and run away from the shot I don't use all my power.

"Of course I take only the positive. I reached the final. Compared to last year I lost first round.

"I played the second set well. I'm just looking forward for next week and to go out there and play the best I can. This is the only thing I want to do." (dpa)