TENNIS Live

French Open - Semi-finals - Women

Nationality Player Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5
Russian FederationD Safina66---
SlovakiaD Cibulkova33---

52 comments - Leave a comment

Dinara Safina

Nationality RUS
Date of Birth 27/04/1986
Height 1.82 m
Weight 70 kg

Dominika Cibulkova

Nationality SVK
Date of Birth 06/05/1989
Height 1.61 m
Weight 55 kg
 

Live Comments

  1. - - 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

  2. 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.

  3. - - 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

  4. 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!

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. - - 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

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. - - To take a look at Dinara Safina as she served for the first set, click here to see a photo of the action

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. 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.

  21. 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.

  22. 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!

  23. 0-0 - Dinara Safina wins the toss and elects to serve first, aiming to put the early pressure on her opponent.

  24. - - 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.

  25. - - 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

  26. - - You may know slightly less about the 20-year-old Slovakian, Dominika Cibulkova. Take a look at her profile by clicking here

  27. - - 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

  28. - - The pair have met two times previously, with Safina winning both, in Tokyo and Montreal, with both coming on hard courts.

  29. - - World number one Dinara Safina takes on the 20th-seeded Slovakian Dominkia Cibulkova in the first semi-final on the Philippe Chatrier court.

WTA Race 2009

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

Full Table »

Comment 33 - 52 of 52

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  1. 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.

    From mon p, on Thu 4 Jun 3:14PM

  2. BabyGal: Nice chest I must say ;-)

    From peri, on Thu 4 Jun 3:04PM

  3. 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.....

    From mon p, on Thu 4 Jun 3:03PM

  4. kirk this is not an American forum so shut up LOL.

    From peri, on Thu 4 Jun 3:03PM

  5. WIMBLEDON CROWN waits for Safina ...............

    From felix, on Thu 4 Jun 3:02PM

  6. RIGHTEOUS

    From Lovie, on Thu 4 Jun 3:01PM

  7. My prediction was Sfaina -Kuznenecova in final.... wait­ for 1 hour ..Svetlana join Dinara !

    From felix, on Thu 4 Jun 3:00PM

  8. Dinara is the most complete player in women game since­ Stefi. Now that she has relaised her potential, STOP­ HER IF YOU CAN.

    From ASIF SHAFI, on Thu 4 Jun 3:00PM

  9. it's an all RUSSIAN FINAL....GO SWEETIES...IN LOVE­ WITH SAFINA,,

    From BabyGal4Ever, on Thu 4 Jun 2:57PM

  10. 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

    From mon p, on Thu 4 Jun 2:56PM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From mon p, on Thu 4 Jun 2:52PM

  12. 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!!!

    From Olga, on Thu 4 Jun 2:51PM

  13. am sure sveta will win the french 09 sorry safina­ she's just nothing but a second rate copycat tennis­ player!!1

    From mon p, on Thu 4 Jun 2:42PM

  14. 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

    From revitup, on Thu 4 Jun 2:40PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    when the lakers beat orlando and the dodgers beat­ philly..my day is set...GO L.A.

    From huskernation, on Thu 4 Jun 2:33PM

  16. 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.

    From Majoser, on Thu 4 Jun 2:30PM

  17. 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.

    From Majoser, on Thu 4 Jun 2:30PM

  18. Ncity doan rang safina se thang 2-1 haaaaa
    safina's­ on the path and close out at 2-1 lol

    From city, on Thu 4 Jun 2:29PM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    When is Safina joining Real Madrid?

    If the game is­ boring, you can visit your milk bar.

    From Majoser, on Thu 4 Jun 2:26PM
  20. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    When is Safina joining Real Madrid?

    From Majoser, on Thu 4 Jun 2:21PM
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