Safina triumphs in Rome

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:28

The Russian took over from Serena Williams at the top of the rankings last month despite never having won a grand slam event, and Williams made her feelings clear before the start of this week’s tournament when she told a press conference: “We all know who the real number one is.”

But while Williams failed to make it past the second round, Safina toppled Serena’s sister Venus in the semi-finals and breezed past Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3 6-2 in the final.

It was Safina’s fourth final of the year and second in as many weeks after she lost to fellow Russian Kuznetsova in Stuttgart last weekend.

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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.