Russia’s Dinara Safina came back from a set down for the third time in the tournament to win the Qatar Telecom German Open on Sunday with a 3-6 6-2 6-2 victory over compatriot Elena Dementieva.
World No.17 Safina beat three Top 10 players – No.1 Justine Henin, No.6 Serena Williams, and finally No.9 Elena Dementieva — on route to her first Tier I title, and sixth career singles title.
No.13 seed Safina was erratic in the first set, but came back strongly in the second. She then broke seventh-seeded Dementieva twice in the deciding set and sealed victory on the first match point on the clay at the Steffi Graf stadium.
The 22-year-old Safina, who wins $196,900, is projected to rise to No.14 in the world when the rankings are updated on Monday. However, her highest ranking was No.9. Dementieva will also improve her position in the rankings as she’ll be No.7.
Great week for Dinara. If she keeps up this form she may have a chance at the French Open. Although she will need to serve well, control her emotions and not get moody when things go wrong in a match.