Apia International Sydney Tennis - Australian Open Series

Safina scorches past Sugiyama

Safina scorches past Sugiyama

AAP Thursday 15 January 2009 19 Comments »

World No.3 Dinara Safina has battled sweltering temperatures and a determined Ai Sugiyama to secure a spot in the final of the Medibank International Sydney today.

The Russian took one and three-quarter hours to dispose of the 33-year-old from Japan in straight sets 6-4 7-6(3) as temperatures at Sydney’s Olympic Park soared above 40 degrees on Thursday.

It caps a draining couple of days for the second seed, who had to overcome French starlet Alize Cornet in similar conditions on Wednesday to set up this match with Sugiyama.

She will now meet either top seed and world No.2 Serena Williams or fellow Russian Elena Dementieva in the final.

One more win here in Sydney, where Safina is yet to drop a set, would secure a 10th career singles title for last year’s French Open runner-up.

The victory was far from easy though for Safina, Sugiyama coming into the match much fresher after receiving a walk-over in her quarterfinal on Wednesday after Svetlana Kusnetsova had to withdraw from the tournament.

Going into the match, Sugiyama actually held a 3-2 record over the 22-year-old although she hadn’t won against Safina since 2003 when she was in the world top 30 and Safina was only 17.

Since then the pair have meet three times, with Safina winning all those matches including this one.

The first set had the pair trading early breaks before settling into a rhythm of tight games which regularly went to deuce.

But after taking a 5-4 lead on serve, Safina pulled out some fantastic clutch tennis to secure the set and put one foot in the final.

The second set was again tight, the pair both breaking each other’s serve twice but neither player maintained their advantage. Clearly determined to try and finish the match as quickly as possible, Safina rallied in the tiebreak to claim the last four points and race to the win.

Following Williams’ clash with Dementieva on centre-court, Australian Lleyton Hewitt will take on fierce rival David Nalbandian for a semifinal spot in the men’s draw. The women’s final will be played on Friday.

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  • Elizabeth

    A very gutsy player, I hope she does well in the final, and also the Oz Open.

  • Carlos

    Well done Dinara – even big brother would be proud.

  • ASB Classic

    Elena beat Serena!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
    YAYAYAYAYA!!!!!!!!!!!
    She’s the best!!!!!

  • T44

    Yeihh!!… It’s time to take revenge against Dementieva… I think she’s a good player… but I also think that Safina is in a better moment… so, c’mon Dinara!!

  • Joan

    I hardly think the score indicates a scorching victory.

  • deep

    its Elena vs Safina.Elena is going to win it and also Australian open

  • Dylan

    Safina is a very talented player that has an agressive style. I think that she will have a fiery encounter against Elena Dementieva and will win in 3 sets.

  • Ron

    I’ve appreciated watching Danira progressively rise to the top 10 over the past few years. What impresses me most is that she has lived-up to any expectations related to her brother’s success but she did so on her on terms, in her own time. That’s the kind of development and maturity of a champion.

  • maxx.

    I hope Dinara wins =)

  • http://www.medibankinternational.com.au Jaggy

    I hope you win the finals at Sydney D.SAFINA….
    Just to say but that game at the Hopman Cup …
    The final you played was s…spec…SPECTACULAR
    I liked the rallys that you have done just like your brother M.SAFIN…
    Well that’s all i got to say…
    oh yeah i’m your biggest fan…!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • JT

    Sad to see Sugiyama go down after such a tough fight…how good is it though to see Kimiko Date (’94 Sydney Champ’) get thru to second round of qualies in Melbourne at the age of 38….

  • Lisa

    Go Dinara!!! You can do it!!

  • tsonga lovee

    COME ON DINARA
    IF SHE CAN BEAT SERENA FOR YOU, YOURE ALL SET

    i wish serena was in the finals =[

  • linda

    Well done Safina, you go girl!!! Good luck in the aus open, we will all be behind you. Your brother and family should be so proud.

  • kouka

    dinara you are the best good luck tommorow and just do it. oudatchia

  • Chop

    Thanks to Serena and Caroline for a thrilling match last night

  • dementieva #1

    well done dinara! awsum to see an all russian final..im happy to say the 2 best players of the tournement got to the final..=)

  • alex

    well, i’m fan of williamses but elena played pretty great yesterday…i’m rooting for safina though. plz don’t lose ur temper like last time back in beijing!

  • marat safin

    i think my sisters efforts lately have been poor. she doesn’t fight enough in her matches and needs to hit more topspin on the ball to put her opponents deep in the court. if she wants to be number one in the world like i was, then she will need to change her mindset.

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