Safina survives scare to advance in Toronto
Wednesday, 15 August 2007
TORONTO, Aug 14 (Reuters): Ninth seed Dinara Safina survived a first-round scare at the $1.3 million Toronto Cup on Monday before rallying to tame Frenchwoman Camille Pin 7-6 3-6 7-5.
Trailing 4-1 in the third set, Safina swept the next four games to claw her way back before finishing off the 91st-ranked Pin with a forehand winner to end the two hour 36 minute battle.
Pin, who has played just one match win since Barcelona in June, had the 14th-ranked Russian in deep trouble with back-to-back breaks in the third set but could not deliver the knockout punch.
"I think I can say, I'm not one who will give an easy match," Safina told reporters. "I always try to fight for every point, especially when you don't feel like 100 percent.
"Then there is no other way, just shut up and fight."
Safina's victory completed a perfect day for the seeded players with all six in action advancing to the second round.
Patty Schnyder continued her impressive buildup to the U.S. Open with a 6-3 6-2 win over Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues.
Trailing 4-1 in the third set, Safina swept the next four games to claw her way back before finishing off the 91st-ranked Pin with a forehand winner to end the two hour 36 minute battle.
Pin, who has played just one match win since Barcelona in June, had the 14th-ranked Russian in deep trouble with back-to-back breaks in the third set but could not deliver the knockout punch.
"I think I can say, I'm not one who will give an easy match," Safina told reporters. "I always try to fight for every point, especially when you don't feel like 100 percent.
"Then there is no other way, just shut up and fight."
Safina's victory completed a perfect day for the seeded players with all six in action advancing to the second round.
Patty Schnyder continued her impressive buildup to the U.S. Open with a 6-3 6-2 win over Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues.