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Safina, Sharapova, Kuznetsova march in step at US Open
Published: 02 September, 2009, 08:23
Dinara Safina (AFP Photo / Chris McGrath / Getty Images)
TAGS: Sport, Sharapova, Safina, Tennis, Grand Slam
Women's World No. 1 Dinara Safina has survived a first round scare at the US Open to stay in the race for her maiden Grand Slam title.
The Russian was up against Australian wildcard Olivia Rogowska and double-faulted to lose the opening set on a tie-break and give the teenager a glimmer of hope.
She then battled back 6-2, only to be broken early in the decider, but Safina handled the pressure, serving out the match 6-4.
Afterwards, the 23-year-old was happy to stay on course for what could become her first-ever Grand Slam.
“There are moments like this that you have to dig in there, swallow everything, and just fight. Could I do more? I guess so. I just made it through, and I'm happy. Now, tomorrow is my day off. I can come down, practice, and look for the match after tomorrow,” Dinara told the tournament’s official website.
She’ll now face Kristina Barrois of Germany in the second round.
Maria Sharapova had a much easier time. The former US Open champion, who triumphed at Flushing Meadows in 2006, needed slightly over 70 minutes to sweep aside Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria.
The former World No. 1 took the first set 6-3 and made a mere five unforced errors in the second to take it to love.
There was also a solid performance by another former champ Svetlana Kuznetsova. She won the US Open back in 2004.
The sixth seed had little trouble against Germany's Julia Goerges.
Kuznetsova dominated the court throughout, storming to a 6-3, 6-2 victory in just over an hour.
29.08.2009, 08:29
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Sharapova thrilled ahead of US Open comebackRussian tennis star Maria Sharapova says she's excited to be back on court and is looking forward to the chance to recapture the US Open crown, a title she won back in 2006. |
06.09.2009, 10:11
Safina and Sharapova leave US OpenTop seed Dinara Safina will be leaving a major without a Grand Slam once again, while some of her compatriots fared much better and progressed to the fourth round. |
