Safina certain a slam will come

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:37

The world number one has been repeatedly asked about her status as world number one, and whether a player with that tag ought to have won one of the US Open, Australian Open, French Open or Wimbledon titles.

The Russian, who cruised into the fourth round at Wimbledon with a 7-5 6-1 victory over Belgian Kirsten Flipkens, said: “Sometimes people say I am number one but I don’t have a grand slam. But I’m always there. I’m consistently doing my results. I’m sure one day I will get the grand slam and nobody can talk any more that I’m number one without one.”

She added: “It took me a while to get to number one and I want to focus on the tennis – it is still a privilege for me.”

She will now face France’s Amelie Mauresmo in the fourth round, having never previously gone so far in London.

And Safina’s Wimbledon prospects look to have improved after Saturday’s exits of top-six seeds Svetlana Kuznetsova and Jelena Jankovic.

“There is nothing impossible in this tournament,” said Safina. “I’m playing better and better but I will take one match at a time.

“There is definitely less pressure and for me that is better. I go out there and enjoy it and until now it is working.

“I was surprised Jelena lost but Melanie Oudin played really good tennis. Maybe Jelena didn’t expect her to play that well.”

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