Elena Dementieva upset fourth seed Serena Williams 5-7 6-1 6-1 on Sunday to claim the women's title at the Kremlin Cup.

Dementieva was a runner-up in the hardcourt event in 2001 and 2004 and the odds of her claiming her first championship at the event seemed slim.

But with the home crowd behind her, the unseeded Russian outfoxed Williams.

In four prior meetings with the American, Dementieva was 0-4 and had not won a set.

It appeared it would be more of the same when the world number seven took the first set on Sunday, but Dementieva responded and dominated the next two sets en route to the eighth title of her career and second this season.

Williams, who has not won a title since April and has been limited by injuries this season, was denied what would have been the 29th singles title of her career.

The US$182,000 in prize money was an early birthday present of sorts for Dementieva, who will turn 26 on Monday.