Sports News

Safina continues hold on No. 1

Published: June 15, 2009 at 9:04 AM
French Open tennis in Paris

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 15 (UPI) -- Dinara Safina remains the world's top-ranked women's player despite grumblings that she's not deserving of being No. 1, given her lack of Grand Slam titles.

Safina moved to the top spot this spring on the strength of appearances in the finals of the 2008 French Open and 2009 Australian Open. But she lost both title matches. She was back in the French Open finals this year, only to fall to Svetlana Kuznetsova. Safina's battle with her own nerves and the pressure of the situation were apparent in the match.

Even when she moved to No. 1, Serena Williams, whom Safina displaced, said the tennis world knew who the "real No. 1" was. Former No. 1 Justin Henin said it was "sad" the top-ranked player hasn't won a Grand Slam event.

Safina gets a quick chance to change her non-major-winner status as Wimbledon begins June 22. Since she is No. 1, Safina will likely be given the top seed for the women's draw.

The women's Top 10 is unchanged from last week with Williams ranked No. 2 and Venus Williams third. Elena Dementieva is fourth with Kuznetsova fifth and Jelena Jankovic No. 6.

The seventh spot is held by Vera Zvonareva while Victoria Azarenka is eighth and Caroline Wozniacki and Nadia Petrova complete the top of the rankings.

© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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