Safina Wins 2nd Straight Title at WTA Madrid

May 17th, 2009

Safina Wins 2nd Straight Title at WTA Madrid

by Staff

World No. 1 Dinara Safina won her second consecutive title in her third consecutive final on Sunday at Madrid, rolling past Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 6-4.

“I was feeling confident from the beginning and tried to be as aggressive as I could,” Safina said after the first-time meeting between the two Top 10 players. “I got a little bit tired at the end of the match but I was still dominant in the crucial moments. Caroline is a great player — she’s very young and has time to improve. I think she can be very dangerous.”

See pics from Madrid in the Photo Gallery presented by Dubai Duty Free.

Safina is 14-1 since claiming the No. 1 ranking, finishing runner-up in Stuttgart, and winning Rome and Madrid.

“I have come to find my place,” Safina said. “I feel comfortable being No. 1. It was my dream from the beginning to be No. 1 and I always believed I could get it. Once I got it, I was ready for it. That’s why I think I’m enjoying it so much. Since I became No. 1 I’ve played better and better.”

Wozniacki won Ponte Vedra Beach on clay, and made the final of Charleston.

Serena Williams, the world No. 2 who has proclaimed herself the true No. 1-ranked player, retired in the first round against Francesca Schiavone due to chronic knee/leg injuries.

The doubles final was won by Cara Black and Liezel Huber, in the final topping No.3 seeds Kveta Peschke and Lisa Raymond 4-6, 6-3, 10-6.

Also Check Out:
Haas Wins, Safin Out; Tuesday Schedule at ATP Madrid
On-Court Coaching Saves Safina in Stuttgart Semis
The Wednesday Wagers
Nadal and His Victims Descend on Magical Madrid
Nadal, Federer Near Final Meeting in Madrid

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 17th, 2009 at 9:09 pm and is filed under Tennis.
Tags: Caroline Wozniacki, Dinara Safina, Serena Williams, WTA

8 Comments for “Safina Wins 2nd Straight Title at WTA Madrid”

jane Says:

I hope she wins the F.O.

Posted May 18th, 2009 at 3:52 am

steve Says:

Go Safina, take the French! It’s about time for her to take her first Grand Slam after coming away empty-handed after two finals.

She’s the clear favorite, unless Serena pulls off one of her “I’ll just come in from nowhere, play ridiculously, and kick everyone’s ass”, which is certainly possible.

I must say I didn’t think Safina could beat Venus after losing a set and a break, but she hung in there and prevailed. And Venus was not playing poorly at all.

Posted May 18th, 2009 at 4:40 am

steve Says:

Also, I hope we see more of Carla Suarez-Navarro and her one-handed backhand. She made the quarterfinals last time, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see her match, or even exceed her previous run.

Posted May 18th, 2009 at 4:53 am

Alex Says:

I wish she win FO, buy winning over Serena in the final. that would be nice!

Posted May 18th, 2009 at 5:36 am

Kimmi Says:

Alex, if Serena reaches the FO final, hats off to her. But I think she looks so match unfit and clay surface will not be easy. Congratulations Safina, very determined girl and hope she wins her first slam soon.

By the way, what about the on-court coaching? In the GS the girls will not get the help, and safina has been calling her coach almost twice in every match she played. Can she do it by herself? I wonder if this system creates a disadvantage to the girls.

Posted May 18th, 2009 at 9:56 am

Gilly Says:

Safina is a headcase who needs to call her coach every minute she can. Very weak minded.

Posted May 18th, 2009 at 1:11 pm

jane Says:

From an ESPN article re: the “real no. 1″:

“Who says there’s no dominant No. 1 in women’s tennis these days? Dinara Safina has assumed the mantle with pride, winning 14 of her 15 matches since reaching the top spot. That includes back-to-back titles at the two biggest clay events ahead of the French Open — the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome and this past week’s combined event in Madrid.

Ironically, Safina has not lost a match since Serena Williams called herself the “real” No. 1. And Williams has not won one.”

Posted May 18th, 2009 at 3:10 pm

jane Says:

I think the on-court coaching is dumb, however, and that Safina should learn to work things out on her own and trust herself more. Much as I like the girl’s work ethic, I have to agree with Gilly that she’s got to be tougher mentally.

Posted May 18th, 2009 at 3:12 pm