Safina withstands Williams; will face rival Kuznetsova in final in Rome

Top seed and rank Dinara Safina fought hard against Venus Williams in her semifinal match, and managed to win it in a thrilling three-setter. She will meet Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final in Rome, who ousted Victoria Azarenka in straight sets.

No. 7 seed Kuznetsova didn't have much on a tough time against the Belarussian, as she won to her with a score of 64 62.

"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," she added. "Yes the call was to my advantage, but she got too upset for no reason. It was just one ball in the match."

Safina withstood the strength of No. 4 seed Williams, winning with a very tight score. The first set went into the way of the American, as she won it in a tiebreak. The second set Safina won with ease. The third and deciding set was full of errors and double faults, especially from Safina. When the score got to 5-4 in Safina lead and on serve, she won the match after seven deuces, with a score of 67(3) 63 64.

After Kuznetsova's win to Safina last week in Stuttgart, the head-to-head result between the two is now 7-5 to Safina, but 4-3 to Kuznetsova's lead on clay.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Singles - Semifinals

(1) Dinara Safina (RUS) d. (4) Venus Williams (USA) 67(3) 63 64

(7) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) d. (6) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 62 64