Sunday, 11 May, 2008

Dinara Safina continued her impressive run at the German Open with a 6-4 6-1 victory in over Victoria Azarenka in the semi-finals on Saturday.

The 13th-seeded Russian has been outstanding at the clay court event, posting wins over world number one Justine Henin and American Serena Williams on her way to the last four. The 22-year-old is aiming to win the sixth title of her career and the first since lifting the trophy at the Gold Coast last season.

The final will be an all-Russian affair as seventh seed Elena Dementieva ousted defending champion and second seed Ana Ivanovic 6-2 7-5 in the other last-four encounter.

Ivanovic was forced to play two matches on Saturday as she had to complete her quarter-final encounter with 10th-seeded Hungarian Agnes Szavay earlier in the day.

The match, which Ivanovic eventually won 3-6 6-4 6-3 had been suspended after the second set on Friday due to darkness.

Safina has split four career matches against Dementieva, suffering a dismal 6-1 6-0 loss during their most recent encounter on carpet in Moscow last year.

She has, however, won both of the clay court matches between the two players.

Djokovic clinches Rome title
Tursunov test for Murray
Safina, Dementieva into Berlin final
Madrid to host Davis Cup clash
Aussie duo to play in Hopman Cup
Ex-Wimbledon champs set for Eastbourne