Safina, Kuznetsova Reach 2nd Final in Two Weeks at Rome

by Staff | May 8th, 2009, 5:13 pm
  • 7 Comments

World No. 1 Dinara Safina and fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova will contest their second final in as many weeks after winning semifinal matches on Friday to advance to the final at the WTA stop in Rome, the Italian Open.
ADHEREL
Kuznetsova followed up a quarterfinal win over two-time defending champ Jelena Jankovic with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Victoria Azarenka. Safina advanced into the final after surviving a 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-4 slugfest against Venus Williams.

“It was good [to win] in two sets,” Kuznetsova said. “But it was very difficult for me, she was hitting as hard as she could. She got frustrated and then she started to hit every ball even more.”

Azarenka was disappointed at a chance gone by to reach the final.


“Based on this tournament, I just played one good match, but I’m happy I went to the semifinals here,” Azarenka said. “It’s a pretty big tournament but I hope I can be better at the French Open.”

Safina was 0-2 career against Williams, but the elder Williams sister could not hold on to a set and a break in the second lead. Safina leads Kuznetsova 7-5 in career meetings, but lost to her countrywoman last weekend in the Stuttgart final.

CORRECTED: The No. 7-seeded doubles team of Hsieh Su-Wei and Peng Shuai won the doubles final, beating Daniela Hantuchova and Ai Sugiyama on Saturday.


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7 Comments for Safina, Kuznetsova Reach 2nd Final in Two Weeks at Rome

Von Says:

“The No. 7-seeded doubles team of Hsieh Su-Wei and Peng Shuai won the doubles final, beating Ipek Senoglu and Yaroslava Shvedova.”

Wow, what a mouthful. These names are becoming more difficult to pronounce as tennis widens its out-reach to different countries.

Good for Safina and Kuznetsova. Too bad Azarenka deflated because I think she could have won the tournament. Perhaps she’ll be more rested for the FO, but her confidence will have taken a few steps back.


Diane Says:

Actually, they didn’t win the final. The final is tomorrow. They won their semifinal


Kimmi Says:

Safina win against Venus is very good for her. This win will help her in the future especially in big matches (ie GS) as Venus and Serena have won so many, and they are alwyas good in GS.

Good for her. She is fighter, she won so many matches when she is down and out. A match with Venus_she came back after the loss of 1st set. Great fighting spirit.


sar Says:

I am hoping for a Kuzzy win! After all these years she is finally winning.


sar Says:

Azarenka is a brat. Once she grows up and improves her on court behavior she will be a great player.


Kimmi Says:

Congratulations Safina, cementing her # 1 ranking. Played better than stuttgart, she got so much confidence from her match with venus yesterday. Poor Kuzzy, went back to her old self today, too many UE.


jane Says:

Super happy for Safina. Good for her.

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