Archives for September 2011

Is Dinara Safina’s Career over? Marat says yes

The delightful Dinara was never able to win a major.

The following article on the Safin’s was written in March 2009 and sheds some light on what she might do when she retires. Today, Marat Safin said that his sister will not return to the tour as her back injury is too severe to allow her to play tennis anymore. The former No. 1 hasn’t played since May.

 

Leave it to the Safins to splash color on an otherwise fairly routine day at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Possibly the most honest, forthright, funny interesting and occasionally dour sibling pair in tennis history, Dinara continued her headstrong charge toward the No. 1 ranking with a workmanlike 7-5, 6-4 win over Jill Craybas in the 4th round. Her older brother Marat continued his determined march toward retirement with a 6-4, 6-4 third round loss to the suddenly hot John Isner.

Dinara was introspective after her victory, discussing how much she missed out on life as a cradle to grave player, her lack of real friends and the death of her paternal grandfather, Alexei, just prior to the Australian Open.

Like Marat, she

From Russia with question marks

In the summer of 2004, Russia looked like it would dominate the WTA. That hasn’t turned out to be the case

Tantalizing quarters in Tokyo

The Marias have reached the quarters

Kaia Kanepi took down No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki 7-5, 1-6, 6-4 in Tokyo and now the Dane

Notes on a draw sheet: of heat and hyperbole

Serena is explosive.

It

Daring Djokovic chases history

Novak’s first US Open title seals a tremendous year

Expect the unexpected

What Stosur’s US Open triumph tells us about the state of the WTA

Roddick hopes to rock Rafa

Wozniacki pumped for Serena clash

Serena is 6-2 vs. Maria.

US Open: grading the pros

 

This was written before the women

Caro’s confidence begins to return

The Woz needs to make her mark in a Slam. Lum photo