Tennis: Dinara Safina Into Australian Open Final
January 30th 2009 13:17
American Serena Williams will clash with Russian Dinara Safina in Saturday night's Australian Open women's final.
Safina beat fellow-Russian Vera Zvonareva 6-3 7-6 to book her place in the showdown.
Safina, who defeated Australia's Jelena Dokic in a memorable quarter-final, began strongly against Zvonareva, breaking serve in the opening game and taking the first set with two further service breaks.
The pair traded breaks in the second set until they levelled at 6-6.
Safina ran up two match points and took the semi with a sizzling cross-court passing shot after surviving a challenge from Zvonareva.
The third seed, 22-year-old Safina's best previous grand slam performance was last year when she finished runner-up to Ana Ivanovic in the French Open.
She has given herself the chance of emulating older brother Marat in winning the Australian Open.
"I remember watching my brother on TV winning this tournament, and if I still watched it today I would have tears in my eyes," she said.
"It's great that I can follow in his footsteps. He was my idol - he still is my idol - and the fact that I'm doing as well as him is amazing."
If Safina wins she will also take over from Jelena Jankovic as the world No.1, as will Williams if she wins.
AAP
Safina beat fellow-Russian Vera Zvonareva 6-3 7-6 to book her place in the showdown.
Safina, who defeated Australia's Jelena Dokic in a memorable quarter-final, began strongly against Zvonareva, breaking serve in the opening game and taking the first set with two further service breaks.
The pair traded breaks in the second set until they levelled at 6-6.
Safina ran up two match points and took the semi with a sizzling cross-court passing shot after surviving a challenge from Zvonareva.
The third seed, 22-year-old Safina's best previous grand slam performance was last year when she finished runner-up to Ana Ivanovic in the French Open.
She has given herself the chance of emulating older brother Marat in winning the Australian Open.
"I remember watching my brother on TV winning this tournament, and if I still watched it today I would have tears in my eyes," she said.
"It's great that I can follow in his footsteps. He was my idol - he still is my idol - and the fact that I'm doing as well as him is amazing."
If Safina wins she will also take over from Jelena Jankovic as the world No.1, as will Williams if she wins.
AAP
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