Former world No.1 Dinara Safina, who is not even in the Top 100 anymore, is yet to win two matches in a row this season, even though it’s already March. Actually, Safina hasn’t won back-to-back matches since September 2010 and Seoul.
At this week’s Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur, Safina managed to win her first match of year 2011 by defeating 125th-ranked Han Xinyun of China, but the Russian failed to go one step further and lost to Lucie Safarova in the second round. Safina fought back from a set down, but didn’t keep the momentum and the world No.35 Safarova won 6-3 4-6 6-3.
The $220,000 Malaysian Open is Safina’s fourth tournament of the year. In Auckland she lost to Yanina Wickmayer, in Hobart to Marion Bartoli, and in Melbourne she was double bageled by eventual champion Kim Clijsters.
Safina is still alive in Kuala Lumpur doubles though, and will play the semifinals against Shuko Aoyama and Chan Chin-Wei partnered with Galina Voskoboeva. (photo: © Neal Trousdale)
It’s a shame to see how such a player like Safina sucks. Last year I thought she’s going to have a great future. And now? In one year nobody’s going to know her name anymore.