Safina, Cibulkova first semifinalists on Day 9 in Paris

On Tuesday at the French Open, top seed Dinara Safina and No. 20 seed Dominika Cibulkova became the first semifinalists, as they both won to tough opponents, but in completely different scores.

Safina faced No. 9 seed Victoria Azarenka in her quarterfinal match, and she eventually won it with a battle, 16 64 62.

"She was playing well, and I was playing exactly into her zone. Then I started to fight, point by point," Safina said. "If I didn't fight in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam as No.1 in the world, I wouldn't deserve that spot. I didn't play my game today but I fought until the end. It's something I have in me. My fight was enough today but I hope to play better for my next match."

"I had my chances, but she stepped it up and played some good points at the key moments, so I have to give her all the credit," said Azarenka, who was playing her first Grand Slam quarterfinal. "It was pretty big that I didn't do anything at the 4-all game in the second set. I should have. I think that was it. I have to learn to play better in these moments. Hopefully I'll do better next time."

Cibulkova had the easiest match of the day, as she beat Maria Sharapova in straight sets, 60 62.

"Today I was playing really solid. Not a lot of errors. I knew if I played well I'd have a chance," Cibulkova said. "When I was up 60 50 and 40-30, I realized I could beat Maria Sharapova, 60 60, and go to the semifinals in a Grand Slam. I got shocked a little bit. When it got to 60 52 I knew I had to make that game because if it got to 5-3, 5-4, it would be difficult. I could get really tight."

"She played really solid and made me hit a lot of balls, and I came up short today," Sharapova said. "I was very appreciative of the way the crowd was rooting for me, asking for me to fight and keep working to find a way to turn things around. I've had a really great last few weeks here, and I can only tell them that I'll be back next year."

Tomorrow, the other two quarterfinals will be played, as No. 7 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova will face No. 2 seed Serena Williams, while Sorana Cirstea will face No. 30 seed Samantha Stosur.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Singles - Quarterfinals

(1) Dinara Safina (RUS) d. (9) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 16 64 62

(20) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. Maria Sharapova (RUS) 60 62