Top-seeded Elena Dementieva rallied from 4-1 down in the third set to overcome third-seeded Elena Bovina 0-6 6-0 6-4 in an all-Russian final of the WTA event in Belgium.

Dementieva secured her first title in 12 months after falling short in three previous finals this year, including at the French Open and US Open.

Bovina dominated the start from her hesitant compatriot, then Dementieva managed a break to kick off the second set and powered through flawlessly.

The third set was another roller coaster, with Bovina ahead 4-1 before Dementieva roared back with three straight breaks.

"When you play you don't even think about the score," Dementieva said. "You're trying to win every single point. I was trying to stay focused."

Bovina blamed herself for relaxing "a little bit" after winning the first set. "You always get to give yourself a break after you win so easy," she said. "I guess that was my mistake today."

Bovina beat Dementieva en route to winning her third career title in New Haven, Connecticut in August.

It was the fourth ever for Dementieva, who in her victory speech wished local favourite Kim Clijsters a speedy recovery from her ongoing left wrist injury.

Former world No.1 Clijsters retired during her semifinal against Bovina on Saturday with pain in the same wrist which sidelined her for five months until this week.

Clijsters tore a tendon in the left wrist in May, and at an examination on Sunday, doctors said there was no new tear but that she would have to undergo treatment and give it time to recover, ruling out any more tournaments this year, according to her website.

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