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Montreal photo diary: Safina clobbers Cibulkova


 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 14:32

It was a shame that after a week of so many topsy-turvy matches and weird and wonderful results that Sundays Rogers Cup final was so one-sided.

However, Safinas 6-2, 6-1 destruction of Slovak Dominika Cibulkova in Montreal demonstrates just how bleedin well the Russian is playing at the moment.

The Tennishead photographer was busy snapping away courtside and he was so impressed by Safinas game he reckons shell be world No.1 next year.

Safina has certainly raised the bar in 2008. Montreal is her third title of the season and her second tier 1 trophy after winning on clay in Berlin back in May.

We mustnt forget her incredible run to the final of the French Open either, which featured those back-from-the-dead victories against Sharapova and Dementieva.

As well as heaps of talent, the girls got balls too.

Safina says that she thinks this year is down to greater consistency and being able to stay focused week in week out.

“It’s the first time in my life I’ve won back-to-back tournaments, she said. I used to win a tournament then lose first round the next week.

But now I’m always just taking it one match at a time. It’s a new experience for me and really just amazing.”

Dinara is rewarded this morning with a new career-high ranking of No.7, while Cibulkova (who, despite Sundays display, also had a fantastic week) makes her top 20 debut.

Once Safina had disappeared back to the locker room clutching her impressive glass trophy, the doubles final took to centre court.

Cara Black and Liezel Huber showed why theyre the No.1 team in the world by trouncing Maria Kirilenko and Flavia Pennetta 6-1, 6-1.

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.