Dinara Safina vs Serena Williams US Open 2008: Preview and Live Score
After clinching an excellent victory over elder sister Venus Williams in the quarter final, Serena Williams is going to take on Russian star Dinara Safina in the semi final of U.S. Open 2008 on 5 August, Friday. Fourth seed Serena Williams had to come out stronger to win over Venus Williams in order to secure a place in the last four of the tournament. Serena Williams pulled off a straight set but a hard-fought victory over Venus 7-6 (6), 7-6 (7) on Wednesday. Dinara Safina was waiting to see who she would face in the semi final after confirming her semi final place a day before. The sixth seed Dinara Safina cruised into the semi final after defeating Italian Flavia Pennetta in the quarter final 6-2, 6-3. Now, Dinara Safina has to stave off the challenge of red hot Serena Williams in the semi final if she wants to clinch her first grand slam title at US Open 2008.
Match: Dinara Safina vs Serena Williams, Women’s Singles Semi Final, U.S. Open 2008
Date: 5 September 2008, Friday
Venue: Flashing Meadow, USA
Live on: Ten Sports
Serena Williams did not have an easy battle with Venus. The eight time grand slam winner needed to appear with her prime form against Venus, who defeated Serena in this year’s Wimbledon. The score line, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (7), is enough to show how much interested and hardly-contested match it was. In fact, it was as interesting a match as the score shows. In post-match interview, Serena said that she was lucky because Venus Williams does not usually make the kind of mistakes she did in the match. Venus Williams said that she had never played a match like that. However, she did not forget to give the credit to Serena.
Dinara Safina has been in an excellent form so far in the tournament. After winning the silver medal at Beijing Olympic Games, the Russian star is now looking to win her first grand slam title. She appeared in a grand slam final for the first time this year when she set up a final against the eventual champion Ana Ivanovic in French Open 2008. This time, she does not want to let the chance go off. Dinara showed some excellent piece of tennis in her quarter final victory over in-form Italian Flavia Pennetta.
Dinara Safina has lost only one set all through the matches in the tournament so far, while Venus Williams has not lost any yet. Actually, both Safina and Serena are currently playing at their prime and expected to present a mouth-watering battle at Flashing Meadow on Friday. Following her quarter final match, Safina expressed that she would give hundred percent in the semi final, citing it a big match.
Reuters reported:
“It’s going to be a big match,” she said. “They’re both playing good (but) I just want to focus again on myself, to give 100 percent and see who’s going to be stronger.”
Dinara Safina vs Serena Williams: Head to Head
Dinara Safina and Serena Williams encountered each other on five times so far with Serena Williams winning thrice and Dinara Safina twice. Last time they faced each other was in a WTA tour match in Berlin this year. Safina clinched the match 2-6, 6-1, 7-6(5). They met twice in grand slam tournament and both times, Serena emerged winner. So, in terms of head to head record, Serena Williams holds an edge over Dinara Safina.
Online Live Score and Updates
Here, I am giving some names of the live score websites from where you can get online live score and updates of the match:
Gooners Guide
Tennis.com
US Open.org
Online Score
Live Score
Sportsline
Flash Score
ESPN Tennis
Dinara Safina vs Serena Williams match is expected to be an interesting one, given their current form in evidence. However, I think, Serena Williams seems to have a slight edge over Safina, considering Serena’s incredible recent form that she showed against Venus Williams. However, it would not be fair to right off Safina’s chance in the match. In fact, the Russian will be gearing up to reach the final in the bid to win her first ever grand slam title at US Open 2008.
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