Dinara Safina retires; Victoria Azarenka sails ahead at the Andalucia Tennis Experience
A most unfortunate way of ejection for the former world number one Dinara Safina of Russia from the Andalucia Tennis Experience at Marbella, Spain, as she had to retire from the contest against the top seeded Belarusian Victoria
Azarenka in the quarter-final. Safina was trailing 1-5 in the opening set when a lower back injury left her in no condition to continue playing and she forfeited the match in favour of Azarenka.
Merely 49 minutes of play took place before the unfortunate event took place with the Belarusian getting an easy pass into the semi-final of the $220,000 WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) tournament. Less can be said about the possible
results had Safina not retired from the contest, as Azarenka was in total command of the curtailed version of the game.
“I feel terrible to win that way, especially against Dinara,” said the top-seeded Azarenka after she won the contest, “She’s been struggling with injuries for quite a while. I just wish her the quickest recovery possible and hope
she can play as soon as possible. It’s a shame because she just started to play so much better and I was really happy for her, but it’s part of the game.”
The Russian had a brilliant past record against Azarenka, still leading the head-to-head series by 4-2. Their last encounter was at the quarter-final of the French Open, where Safina stood victorious by 1-6, 6-4, 6-2. The Russian
has been in a great form this year and a tough battle was anticipated against Azarenka in the quarter-final.
The in-form top seed had a blistering start to the game and took down her opponent with early serve breaks. Azarenka served brilliantly with 87 per cent accuracy and took 12 out of 15 total serve points being played in the six
games. Her mighty forehand worked to perfection and the Belarusian delivered some elegant down the line winners to overwhelm her opponent.
Safina’s debilitating physical conditions were hinted right from the beginning of the contest from her sloppy movements and errant strokes. Her itching back allowed her to serve with just 44 per cent accuracy and collect just 38
per cent points on it. Her return game was even poor, as she won just 20 per cent of points on it.
The aggressive top seed cracked two serve breaks right away to race to an impassable lead of 5-1 in the first set and was about to close the opener when Safina signalled to the chair umpire that she was no more in a condition to
play any further. Azarenka moves on to the semi-final where she will compete against the eighth seed Italian Sara Errani. The Italian won her match convincingly against the fourth seed Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania in straight sets 6-2, 6-2, to meet Azarenka
in the round of four.
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