By Steve Keating

TORONTO (Reuters) - Russian fourth seed Elena Dementieva picked up her third title of the year and denied compatriot Maria Sharapova a comeback win with a 6-4 6-3 victory in the final of the Toronto Cup on Sunday.

Dementieva's victory was just the third in nine meetings against Sharapova, who was playing for a title for the first time since Amelia Island in April 2008 as she continued her return from shoulder surgery.

Working her way back to top form after nine months on the sidelines, Sharapova has made steady progress since she launched her comeback in May.

But the three-time grand slam winner showed in an uneven final that her game still needs sharpening as she served up nine double faults to Dementieva in the opening set.

The victory is a good omen for Dementieva, with the three past winners of the Toronto tournament going on to capture the U.S. Open title.

(Editing by Justin Palmer)