Dementieva was beaten in a thrilling final a year ago

Top seed Elena Dementieva recovered from losing the first set to beat Lucie Safarova and win the Paris Indoors for the first time in nine attempts

Dementieva lost the first set tie-break 7-5 but held her nerve after that to seal a 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 6-4 victory.

She lost out to Amelie Mauresmo of France in last year's final.

"I have been trying to win this tournament for so many years - it's been one of the most difficult wins of my career and I am so happy," she said.

"You have to fight to the very end and if you fight for every point, anything can happen. I will be back to play Roland Garros because I love playing in Paris."

It was a second title of the year for the 28-year-old Russian after she also triumphed in Sydney last month.

Meanwhile, Dementieva's compatriot Vera Zvonareva successfully defended her Pattaya Open title with a 6-4 6-4 victory over home favourite Tamarine Tanasugarn.

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