| Nationality | Player | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D Safina | 6 | 6 | - | - | - | |
| D Cibulkova | 3 | 3 | - | - | - |
| Nationality | RUS |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 27/04/1986 |
| Height | 1.82 m |
| Weight | 70 kg |
| Nationality | SVK |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 06/05/1989 |
| Height | 1.61 m |
| Weight | 55 kg |
- - Thanks for joining us in this match; Safina will now face the winner of the next match up on the Philippe Chatrier court, between Svetlana Kuznetsova and Samantha Stosur. To see the full women's drawsheet at Roland Garros, click here
6-3 -
That's it! A forehand down the line gives Safina two match points, and the Russian takes the second to advance into the final! Cibulkova folds in the final game, clearly quite weary, putting a forehand into the net, but the Slovak can be proud of the way she has fought against the world number one.
- - To take a look at Dominika Cibulkova as she prepares to serve to stay in the match at 5-3 down, click here to see a photo
5-3 - Safina makes her sixth double fault of the match, allowing her opponent to get a foothold in the game at 15-30, but the Russian finds two sharp first serves to close out the game. Safina is now just one game away from sealing the match!
4-3 - Safina loses her cool on three occasions in the game, shrieking to herself in dismay at some of her shots, but credit to Cibulkova, who stays in touch by holding serve. The Slovak was very collected and composed in finding the baseline with two solid passes, and the pressure remains with Safina to close the match out.
4-2 - A fifth double fault of the match from Safina gives her opponent 0-30 on her serve, but a powerful forehand winner down the line reduces the deficit. Cibulkova then forces two break points, but Safina shows real conviction in smashing away the second and holding after an extended deuce.
3-2 -
Safina breaks! A fearsome forehand down the line from Safina levels at 30-30, before a deft lob brings up a break point as Cibulkova strives too hard to dictate the rallies. The Russian then breaks with Cibulkova finding the net with a tame forehand.
2-2 - Safina holds under pressure, with Cibulkova pushing her to deuce and refusing to be bullied in any of the rallies. The Russian shows good invention, pushing her opponent wide with a forehand before finding the open court to close out the game. This second set is looking very finely poised.
- -
French Open: Don't forget, you can watch both semi-finals LIVE on British Eurosport and Eurosport HD (Sky 410/412, Virgin Media 521); Or alternatively on your PC via the Eurosport Player. To access the player, click here
1-2 - A third unforced error in quick succession from Cibulkova gives Safina the advantage on the Slovak's serve, but she recovers to take the game to 30, with Safina cursing her lack of control on the forehand side.
1-1 - Cibulkova races to 15-40 on Safina's serve, pouncing on two sloppy forehands from the Russian, who loses her rhythm on serve slightly, committing her fourth double fault of the match. Safina forces deuce with a precise forehand down the line, before holding as Cibulkova hits a backhand long.
0-1 - Safina wins an epic rally to level at 15-15, before Cibulkova slams a forehand down the line to stamp her authority back on the game. Cibulkova wins the first game of the second set with a powerful backhand which lands right on the line.
- - To take a look at Dinara Safina as she served for the first set, click here to see a photo of the action
6-3 -
Safina wins the first set 6-3! The Russian races to 40-15 thanks to three first serves which tested her opponent, but Cibulkova pegs her back with a fine forehand down the line, before Safina takes the set with a crushing forehand cross court.
5-3 - Safina squanders a set point, over-hitting a forehand after deuce, and Cibulkova finally manages to close out the game with a forehand down the line. Safina now has a chance to serve out for the set.
5-2 - Safina holds after deuce, and every game of this first set continues to be fiercely contested. The Russian keeps her composure to close out the game after Cibulkova had pushed her all the way with two fine forehand winners.
4-2 -
Safina wins her fourth game in a row! Cibulkova fails to close out the game with three opportunities, and the Russian then capitalises with a fierce backhand down the line to break her opponent for a second time.
3-2 - Cibulkova forces two break points at 15-40, before Safina produces two fearsome forehands to take the game into deuce, and hold her serve under immense pressure: that was a good display of character from the Russian.
2-2 -
The early signs were deceiving, as Cibulkova's advantage is quickly eroded by Safina. The Russian breaks back with a composed game of percentage tennis, not taking too many risks, just pushing forehands out to her opponent's backhand side, to good effect.
1-2 - Safina holds from 40-30, producing a superb kick-serve out to Cibulkova's backhand side to clinch the game. The Russian has not started to brightly, but is beginning to find her rhythm now.
0-2 - What a start for the Slovak! Safina pushes her opponent all the way, forcing her out to deuce, but Cibulkova shows great resilience in coming through unscathed, and consolidating her early break in the process.
0-1 -
Cibulkova breaks Safina in the opening game! A stunning backhand cross-court pass from the Slovak gives her 15-30 on the Safina serve, and another brings her a break point at 30-40. The Russian then hits long with a backhand, and Cibulkova breaks!
0-0 -
Dinara Safina wins the toss and elects to serve first, aiming to put the early pressure on her opponent.
- -
The Philippe Chatrier court is bathed in sunshine as the stands begin to slowly fill, with temperatures of 24 degrees. The wind is 10km/h and should not represent much of a problem for the players.
- -
French Open: Watch the whole tournament LIVE on British Eurosport and Eurosport HD (Sky 410/412, Virgin Media 521); Or alternatively on your PC via the Eurosport Player. Click here to access the player
- - You may know slightly less about the 20-year-old Slovakian, Dominika Cibulkova. Take a look at her profile by clicking here
- - The 23-year-old Russian has been in imperious form at Roland Garros, particularly in the early rounds. Take a look at her profile, by clicking here
- -
The pair have met two times previously, with Safina winning both, in Tokyo and Montreal, with both coming on hard courts.
- - World number one Dinara Safina takes on the 20th-seeded Slovakian Dominkia Cibulkova in the first semi-final on the Philippe Chatrier court.
| Points | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dinara Safina | 7730 |
| 2 | Serena Williams | 7575 |
| 3 | Svetlana Kuznetsova | 5771 |
| 4 | Caroline Wozniacki | 5345 |
| 5 | Elena Dementieva | 5215 |
| 6 | Victoria Azarenka | 4450 |
| 7 | Venus Williams | 4396 |
| 8 | Vera Zvonareva | 3550 |
| 9 | Jelena Jankovic | 3435 |
| 10 | Agnieszka Radwanska | 3340 |
Comment 33 - 52 of 52
she (safina) maybe inform in clay but grass is entirely different very seldom player winning back to back title from french to wimbledon and only seven players reach that position. no need to mention the names.
BabyGal: Nice chest I must say ;-)
revitup
look at HENIN u cannot say that shes the best palyer bec she never won WIMBLEDON TITLE. We call the best player in the world if they win the four GRANDSLAM TITLE ( AUSTRAILIAN OPEN, FRENCH OPEN, WIMBLEDON, US OPEN AND LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST THE SEASON ENDING CHAMPIONSHIP.....
kirk this is not an American forum so shut up LOL.
WIMBLEDON CROWN waits for Safina ...............
RIGHTEOUS
My prediction was Sfaina -Kuznenecova in final.... wait for 1 hour ..Svetlana join Dinara !
Dinara is the most complete player in women game since Stefi. Now that she has relaised her potential, STOP HER IF YOU CAN.
it's an all RUSSIAN FINAL....GO SWEETIES...IN LOVE WITH SAFINA,,
Look at your Henin u cannot say shes the best player bec. SHE never won "WIMBLEDON TITLE". a best player is that she completed winning the four GRANDSLAM TITLE
revitup
safina is just a second rate copycat. FRENCH OPEN IS NOTHING COMPARED TO WIMBLEDON. LOOK AT MAURESMO WHEN SHE WAS INTERVIEWED. SHE TOLD TO THE PRESS THAT SHE WILL NEVER EXCHANGE HER WINNING TROPHY (WIMBLEDON) TO ROLLAND GARROS..HAHAHAH EVERY TENNIS PLAYER WANTS WIMBLEDON NOT A R O L L A N D G A R R O S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
whats wrong with u ppl? why such a hatred and anger towards one of the best pro tennis player Dinara? leave ur problems out of here or don't appear here, what a shame for sport. Go Dinara!!!
am sure sveta will win the french 09 sorry safina she's just nothing but a second rate copycat tennis player!!1
hahaha, sore losers, serena keeps on eating her own word, i'm the true no.1 she said, no.1 loser, and all her fans are the same, since saying that arrogant statement, what has she accomplished except from losing? no brainer, safina will win the women's single
when the lakers beat orlando and the dodgers beat philly..my day is set...GO L.A.
Serena was too weak the other day. Does anyone know why?
There're rumours that she had a hot exchange with her coach dad earlier. And how they use the F word is just nauseating.
Serena was too weak the other day. Does anyone know why?
There're rumours that she had a hot exchange with her coach dad earlier. And how they use the F word is just nauseating.
Ncity doan rang safina se thang 2-1 haaaaa
safina's on the path and close out at 2-1 lol
When is Safina joining Real Madrid?
If the game is boring, you can visit your milk bar.
When is Safina joining Real Madrid?
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account