Dinara Safina outplays Samantha Stosur in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open
Former world number one Dinara Safina of Russia defeated the fourth seeded Australian, Samantha Stosur in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, California in Monday night. The Russian took two hours to oust Stosur
in straight sets, 7-6(2), 6-4, making it to the fourth round of the tournament.
Safina improved her head-to-head record against Stosur to 5-1 after her victory at the Paribas Open and needs just one more win to book a spot in the quarter-finals of the event.
An enthralling contest was witnessed at the Indian Wells with the two competitors straining hard to get the better of one another. The match remained evenly poised throughout as the contestants kept fighting to gain advantage.
The Russian got the edge over her opponent with her brilliant ability to clinch crucial points on regularity and a positive frame of mind.
Safina delivered her first serve with 64 per cent accuracy but her 15 double faults left a huge question mark over the former world number one’s serving ability. Such high figure of errors in a game of pro tennis can easily result
in defeat, fortunately, it didn’t happen for Safina. She cracked five aces in the match and won 68 per cent first serve points to come out as the winner.
The first set had a steady start with both players holding their serve in the opening four games. Stosur was magnificent with her serve game, hitting 70 per cent on target without a single double fault and winning 59 per cent points
on it. The Russian bestowed her with six double faults, assisting her to strike her first break point. Safina bounced back in the set to level the score at 6-6, imposing a decisive tie-breaker round into play.
The 24-year-old Russian was simply majestic in the tie-breaker, allowing no room to her opponent to edge past her. Stosur merely clinched two points in the decider while seven were secured by the mighty forehand of the Russian
to seal the first set at 7-6(2).
The Russian carried on her winning momentum to the second set, breaking early to lead 3-2 against the Aussie. Another break in the sixth game extended Safina’s lead to 4-2 but her errant serve gave her opponent a vital chance to
bounce back in the game. She spilled out 10 double faults in the second set alone and her opponent capitalized to break serve and level the scores at 4-4.
It appeared as if the second set would also finish in the tie-breaker but the Russian availed her chances very well to wrap up the game early. Safina shifted her gears in the tenth game, outplaying her opponent to craft two match
points at 5-4, converting the first chance to seal victory for herself.
Safina will meet the former world number one and her compatriot, the 16th seed Maria Sharapova in the fourth round. Sharapova defeated the 20th seeded Aravane Rezai of France in a comprehensive straight sets
victory 6-2, 6-2, in the third round.
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