PIERCE'S FORTUNE: 500TH VICTORY.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

Asked what she thought about this being the WTA Championships' last go-around in Los Angeles, Mary Pierce couldn't answer.

It was all new to her. She hadn't qualified to play in any of the previous three years.

Just when it looked like she would fade away like many aging tennis stars, the 30-year-old is having a season to remember.

Pierce continued her revival Wednesday by winning her 500th career match - a 6-2, 6-3 triumph over Elena Dementieva of Russia in front of 3,911 at Staples Center.

It was Pierce's second impressive victory in as many days of the round-robin format that showcases the eight leading point scorers on the women's tour this year.

``I can retire now,'' Pierce said, adding that she was kidding. ``I just think that is so cool - 500. I'm really proud of that.''

Pierce, in her 17th year on the tour, is the 21st woman and third among active players to notch 500 singles victories.

After upsetting U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters on Tuesday, Pierce got off to another great start against Dementieva. Using big serves and strong ground strokes, she cruised to a first-set victory and got a break early in the second set.

``I think that it was a great thing to play Kim first because she is the favorite coming into this event,'' Pierce said. ``And after playing her, I would say everybody else is going to be easier in the sense that Kim is the quickest. She is just so fast. And her defense game is her strength. So playing against someone like Elena, who is a great athlete who hits the ball hard, seems easier than (Tuesday).''

Dementieva got back on serve on a rare Pierce double fault to make it 4-3. But Pierce broke right back when Dementieva hit a cross-court forehand wide. Serving for the match, Pierce won when Dementieva hit a backhand volley into the net.

Pierce took advantage of her break opportunities, converting five of six, while Dementieva won just two of her eight chances.

``There was not much I could do,'' Dementieva said. ``I wasn't playing my best, but at the same time she was playing unbelievable.''

Pierce is up to No. 5 in the world after being No. 33 in March. She is making her first appearance at the WTA Championships since 1999. Only one other player in the 33-year history of the event (Mag Maleeva, 1995-2001) has had as much as a six-year gap between Championships appearances.

Entering this week, Pierce was 0-3 career against Clijsters and 1-3 against Dementieva.

Lindsay Davenport joined Pierce as the only players with two wins thus far, dispatching Patty Schnyder of Switzerland 6-3, 7-5. Davenport has the added benefit of winning both her matches in straight sets, which could pay dividends later in the demanding tournament.

``I feel now I'm in a great position, but you still don't know what will happen,'' Davenport said. ``This is a great start to get off to.''

Davenport is trying to finish the season No. 1 in the rankings for the fourth time in her career. Between her and Clijsters, whichever player goes further in this tournament will hold the top spot.

Clijsters, who was trying to rebound from Tuesday's loss to Pierce, lost 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) to Amelie Mauresmo of France.

Matthew Kredell, [phone]

matthew.kredell(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

Lindsay Davenport returns a shot in her match against Patty Schnyder in the WTA Championships on Wednesday.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

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WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS