Safina Buries 2009 Demons in Straight Sets Win

Published : January 22, 2010 :: 12:01:23 [ 398 views ]

Russian world number 2 Dinara Safina competed a straight sets rout of her unseeded British opponent, taking another step closer to the final in which she successfully reached in 2009, only to implode against American champion Serena Williams.

Melbourne, the 21^st of January 2010 [PDN]: In her first appearance on Rod Laver Arena’s center court since that fateful day last year, Safina over came Brit Elena Baltacha in under an hour with a 6-1, 6-3 thrashing.

Although there was a much sparser crowd this time compared to the 2009 final the second seed took heart from her continued improvement since returning to the scene of one of her worst tennis memories to date. Safina stated; “I didn’t have good memories of the last match I played on Rod Laver Arena, for sure. I am glad to be back and I had to fight hard and make sure I won to forget the bad memories. I played some unbelievable matches on this court last year, saving match points and things, but had that one bad match.”

Safina simply overpowered the unseeded Baltacha, hitting 19 winners compared to the Brits 4, winning the match in under 60 minutes. Safina arrived in Melbourne with question marks over her chances of a maiden Grand Slam win, after recently returning from a back injury that hampered her throughout the latter part of the 2009 season.

However, the 23-year-old has yet to drop a set in three matches and has looked more comfortable each time she has stepped on court. Safina, seeking her first Grand Slam singles title having lost three finals in the previous two years, said there was still considerable room for improvement as the tournament progresses. “I think it was about seven (out of 10),” she said. “It doesn’t matter by the score that I won easier, there are still some moments in some games that I could do better.

Safina could face fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko in the fourth round and appears in a favorable section of the draw. One of the Belgian comeback duo of Kim Clijsters or Justine Henin is likely to be her semi-final opponent if she reaches that far.