Wimbledon - Safina Keeps Her Dream Alive After Beating Mauresmo

The Russian and world No.1, Dinara Safina defeated the world No.17 Amelie Mauresmo in an incredible way, after losing the first set and been down in the decisive third set but then recovering to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The Russian has been having troubles with her confidence and her emotions in some parts of the games during the last tournaments. However it seems that against the French Amelie Mauresmo, Safina managed those feelings very well and improved completely to obtain the victory and the ticket to the quarterfinals. Moreover it has to be mentioned, that this triumph gave Safina a way of keeping her dream of getting a Grand Slam alive.

During the first set, Safina started really aggressive by breaking Mauresmos serve to put the score 3-0 on her favor. However, the Russian committed too many errors and Amelie took advantage of them by breaking Safinas serve two times in a row to recover the score and then win the set 6-4. In the second set, after Safinas mistakes of the first set, many spectators thought that the world No.1 may not recuperate, but the Russian proved them wrong and demonstrated great character and determination by leading 4-1 in the set. Although, the rain showed up and the organization of the tournament had to delay the game for 30 minutes so they could close the new roof for the match to continue.

When the game restarted, Safina kept the lead and continued rebuilding her confidence to win the second set 6-3 after having three set points in the final game and serving an ace to close it. During the decisive set Mauresmo started with determination, winning the first game, then breaking Safinas serve on a deuce and holding her serve to get a 3-0 lead. Nevertheless, the world No.1 fought back, just by doing the same as the French; holding her serve and breaking Mauresmos serve to put the score 3-2. The French girl then had two break-points to put things 4-3 but then the Russian drag it back to level the scores. Safina then straight away broke Mauresmos serve and leave her serve to win the match.

At the end of the game, Safina expressed that she was really satisfied with her performance and the way she came back on the game, after missing several shots.

She pushed me to play my best tennis. I let it go to 3-0, but still I think I was playing good. I just was missing. I was going for the right shots, but just was missing a little bit. Then luckily I could turn the match around. That shows that I was missing, and I put them all together in and I was there in the match, said the world No.1 Russian.

With this triumph Safina move on to the quarterfinals, in where she will face the world No. 41, Sabine Lisicki. The 19-year-old German is having a great run in the tournament and she believes she could have a good chance to beat the Russian. On the other hand, for Dinara Safina this match is another challenge for her and she hopes to continue playing at her best.