Friday, during the Italian Open, Dinara Safina grabbed the top spot by winning against Venus Williams with a 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-4. She will now move on to compete with Svetlana Kuznetsova during the all Russian match.
During the semifinals at the Foro Italico, Kuznetsova beat Victoria Azarenka, a Belarusian teenager with a 6-2, 6-4.
Safina and Serena Williams gave out an outstanding battle wherein both players had a good exchange of hits. The American was often rushing to the net to finish off points but still both players were winners as momentum shifted between the two during their 3 hour, 9 minute match.
Safina said “It was a very long match and I think I played one of my best tennis (matches), that I hadn’t played for a long time.”
The first set was closed with a delicate drop valley as a tie-breaker and then went on to break her opponent in the second sets opening game.
But still the 23 year old Russian leveled the match which lasted for a little more than two hours.
The third set turned out to be a challenge, both players exchanged breaks. Safina was the decisive one which made her win her third match after she committed three double faults and saving four breaks points.
Safina who was unfortunate to have loss her two previous matches with Williams, claimed her match this time was not easy and I quote “It was not easy mentally.” Safina had 32 wins as compared to Williams 38 wins, though Safina may have lesser wins she also committed fewer unforced errors.
Williams has been very doing well as she is now assured of a higher rank which is now No.3, from her No. 5 rank. This is her highest rank in six years and this has been made possible since Williams has reached the semifinals in Rome.