Dementieva blames fatigue and gusting wind for loss

By Pritha Sarkar

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Olympic champion Elena Dementieva blamed a combination of fatigue and a gusting wind that swirled around Arthur Ashe Stadium for her downfall in the semi-finals of the U.S. Open on Friday.

Before meeting Jelena Jankovic at Flushing Meadows, the Russian fifth seed had won 11 matches in a row in a run that included collecting the gold medal at the Beijing Games.

But the blustery winds threw her and she came unstuck 6-4 6-4 against the second seeded Serbian.

"It was quite windy today in the court so I just couldn't step into the court... I just feel like I did too many unforced errors today," said the 26-year-old, a runner-up in New York in 2004.

"She was playing very solid, very safe, especially in the conditions. I just was trying to go for the winner and couldn't make it."

Dementieva was bidding to become the third woman, following Steffi Graf in 1988 and Venus Williams in 2000, to win Olympic gold and U.S. Open titles back-to-back since tennis was reinstated to the Games program 20 years ago but felt she also ran out of puff.

"I feel like it was a good run but I just felt a little tired today," she said. "I couldn't play my best.

"It's quite difficult. We had to play in very hot and humid conditions in Beijing," added Dementieva, who lost her chance to climb to the top of the rankings following her defeat.

"I was trying to stay positive. I was trying not to think how tired I am but when it comes to the second week, it's really difficult physically."

Despite her disappointment, Dementieva felt she was still capable of winning her first major crown.

"I feel like I can do it," said the Russian, who has not progressed to a grand slam final since 2004.

"I had a great experience playing in a lot of semi-finals and some finals in the grand slams, so I hope I can make it in the future."

(Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)