Editing by Pritha Sarkar Sports China Russia

Unbeaten so far this year after picking up titles in Auckland and Sydney, Dementieva beat the German 7-6 2-6 6-1.HIP SURGERY"It was a very tough match, especially because of the weather conditions today. Also it was not easy for me to come here after playing so many matches in a row," the blonde Russian said."I'm sure I wouldn't have minded one or two extra days before But those are the kind of days you have to survive. "I played without pain," he said, referring to a recent back injury "So it was a nice match. That's it."Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt suffered a drawn-out agonizing exit from his home grand slam when he was beaten 5-7 6-2 6-2 3-6 6-3 by Chilean 13th seed Fernando Gonzalez.It was Hewitt's first opening round defeat at the Australian Open since 2002, when he was suffering chicken pox.Finalist at Melbourne Park four years ago, Hewitt slid down the rankings after undergoing hip surgery last August and only returned to competition this month."I'll probably look back at it in a couple of days' time, look at where I could have improved and whatever," the world number 70 said."But in hindsight, when you haven't had the matches, haven't played five sets for quite a while, you're always going to be fighting it a little bit."(Editing by Pritha Sarkar) Sports China Russia.

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Barack Obama's inauguration as President on Tuesday has become a source of pride and inspiration for African American players at the Australian Open. So it is nice to see that diversity."Blake said he was expecting great things from Obama."I hope it has significance to a lot of people in the States. We're in a time that seems very historic," he said."We're looking for positive change in the States. We're in some situations that are less than ideal in our country."I think if there's any man for the job that's ahead of him that can deal with the tasks and the pressures of being President in this tumultuous time, it's Barack Obama."Neither of the Williams sisters voted in last year's U.S elections because of their religious beliefs.

The pair are both Jehovah's Witnesses, which does not allow voting."I try to stay politically neutral, don't get involved in worldly matters," Serena said."It's easy for me because I was born and raised a Jehovah's Witness (but) for me, because I am black, seeing that happen, I would be blind if I didn't take interest in it or I would be lying if I said I wasn't interested in what was going on."Although they were not the first African Americans to succeed in professional tennis, the Williams have easily been the most successful, winning a combined total of 16 singles grand slam titles.ASHE INSPIRATIONBoth said they would be unable to watch the inauguration live because of the time difference in Australia but as pioneers in their own right, they were still paying close attention."I'm a big fan of African American history, learning my roots so I can be a better person. here," said Blake, who donated money and time to Obama's campaign."It's going to be a very significant inauguration, a very significant presidency to have the first African American in power. Hopefully it will knock down more doors."(Editing by Pritha Sarkar) Sports. Jan 20 (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs downgraded fashion companyPolo Ralph Lauren Corp (RL.N) to "sell" from "neutral," as itsaw risk to the company's earnings from a shift in customerspending. Stocks Analyst Adrianne Shapira said several "aspirational" brandsand retailers, including Nordstrom Inc (JWN.N), Tiffany & Co(TIF.N), Coach Inc (COH.N) and Estee Lauder Cos Inc (EL.N),have seen challenging sales that has prompted negative earningspreannouncements, leading to double-digit drop in their stockprices.