Safina crashes out

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:44

The Russian won the first set 6-3 but her French opponent hit back to take the next two sets 6-2 6-4.

Top seed Safina was severely hampered by her serve, producing 17 double faults to give the world number 39 victory.

It follows yesterday’s shock defeat of third seed Venus Williams by Kateryna Bondarenko.

Fourth seed Elena Dementieva, well placed in the absence of Safina and Williams, had a regulation 6-3 6-2 win over Japan’s Ai Sugiyama.

Jelena Jankovic, ranked fifth, beat Patty Schnyder with a hard-fought 7-5 6-4 victory .

Seventh seed Vera Zvonareva beat Roberta Vinci 6-3 6-3 but number eight seed Caroline Wozniacki went crashing out to Jie Zheng, the Chinese woman winning 7-5 6-3.

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By Tim Farthing

About the Author / Tim Farthing

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.