Open Gaz de France

[tall_one]

as requested...


Entry List
Rank Name WTA ranking From Nationality
1 Amélie Mauresmo 2 WTA FRA
2 Maria Sharapova 4 WTA RUS
3 Elena Dementieva 6 WTA RUS
4 Serena Williams 7 WTA USA
5 Nadia Petrova 13 WTA RUS
6 Alicia Molik 12 WTA AUS
7 Karolina Sprem 17 WTA CRO
8 Silvia Farina Elia 19 WTA ITA
9 Nathalie Dechy 24 WTA FRA
10 Magdalena Maleeva 27 WTA BUL
11 Jelena Jankovic 28 WTA SEM
12 Mary Pierce 29 WTA FRA
13 Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi 32 WTA ISR
14 Eleni Daniilidou 42 WTA GRE
15 Jelena Kostanic 36 WTA CRO
16 Iveta Benesova 37 WTA RTC
17 Flavia Pennetta 35 WTA ITA
18 Anabel Medina Garrigues 38 WTA ESP
19 Marion Bartoli 40 WTA FRA
20 Maria Elena Camerin 41 WTA ITA
21 Dinara Safina 45 WTA RUS
22 Wild Card
23 Wild Card
24 Wild Card
25 Qualified
26 Qualified
27 Qualified
28 Qualified
29 Qualified
30 Bye
31 Bye
32 Bye

[SAFINNO1]

Things are looking for Dina as she is now entering tier1 tournies so she knows and the organisers now that she can compete at the highest level, hope she has a good draw and compete's well.

[SAFINNO1]

www.wtatour.com/global/includes/TrackIt.asp?file=/global/Pdfs/events/2005/paris_draws.pdf

for the draw.

Safina hungy for more
07 February 2005 - Alexandre CARLIER
The Russian player made a remarkable entry in the first round of the Oepn Gaz de France. By eliminating Croatian Karolina Sprem 6-4, 6-2, Dinara Safina showed she was fearless and now she is hungry for more.


It only took her 58 minutes to restore the good memories of the spectators in Coubertin. Marat Safin’s younger sister did not forget the unhappy-ending of last year’s semi-final against the eventual winner of the tournament, Belgian Kim Clijsters. Even though she was quickly eliminated (6-1, 6-1), the Russian player admits: “I have excellent memories of last year’s tournament. That’s why I decided to come back this year.” So, is she hungry for more in 2005?

For her first match, Dinara Safina was rather expeditious and let her powerful shots do the rest. Facing her was Karolina Sprem, world n°17 and seed player n°6 who in spite of aggressive attacks and rebellious urges, was swept out by a dazzling service, just like in the second set. Leading 2-1, the young Croatian suffered the attacks of an opponent who pulled out all the stops and won the last five games of the match.
Final result: 6-4, 6-2.

Exactly like in the three tournaments she participated in so far this year (Gold Cost, Hobart and Australian Open), Dinara passed the first round. She now hopes to reach cruising speed again her next opponent who will either be Czech Iveta Benesova or fellow countrywoman Vera Douchevina. Whoever it will be, she will probably be determined to prove her bother Marat that she has everything it takes to play at the best level and to therefore contradict his statements after the Australian Open.

[Damita]

Wednesday, February 9, 2005

Center Court (from 12.00hrs)
1. Jankovic/Yakimova vs. Garbin/Krizan
2. Daniilidou vs. Bartoli (NB 13.50hrs)
3. Razzano or Smashnova vs. Farina Elia
4. Dechy vs. Kostanic
5. S.Williams vs. Cohen-Aloro (NB 19.00hrs)
6. Sfar vs. Petrova

Court 1 (from 14.00hrs)
1. Medina Garrigues/Safina vs. Foretz/Razzano (after suitable rest)

2. Beltrame/Daniilidou vs. Farina Elia/Marrero (after suitable rest)

[Teresa]

SAFINNO1 said:

www.wtatour.com/global/includes/TrackIt.asp?file=/global/Pdfs/events/2005/paris_draws.pdf

for the draw.

Safina hungy for more
07 February 2005 - Alexandre CARLIER
The Russian player made a remarkable entry in the first round of the Oepn Gaz de France. By eliminating Croatian Karolina Sprem 6-4, 6-2, Dinara Safina showed she was fearless and now she is hungry for more.


Thanks Safinno1 for the article, its GREAT ;D
I soooo hope Dinara can go all the way to the finals and actually win.

Good Luck Dinara

[Anik]

Safina : « Marat and I… » <br>
By Nicolas VOLLAIRE

Still engaged in both singles and doubles competitions, Dinara Safina is doing well in this 13th Open Gaz de France. But the young and talented Russian is also Marat Safin’s little sister and she has to deal with this comparison everyday.

Your brother made tough comments about you at the Australian Open. Did it bother you ?
Just a little bit…(laughters) We have had some private problems before that and he told me that he didn’t really mean what he said. It was a misunderstanding. He said something one way and the medias understood it another way. But, you know, I’m used to it. It’s Marat…

Why didn’t you go to Moscow to celebrate Marat’s victory with your family ?
Because I came back from Australia before him and I had to go to Monte Carlo for a few days. I am an official resident here and I have to be there a specific number of days in the year to make it legal.

How hard is it to live in the shadow of your brother ?
It is very difficult because a lot of people expect of me. They want me to be as good as my brother, but I am not ! He is much better than me. Even if I am younger, time is going fast and I have a lot of pressure on me because I am Marat Safin’s sister. I would love to play as well as him but it’s more difficult for me.

Your brother has a strong personality. It’s not very frequent in the world of tennis…
He is not crazy like many people think. He has changed a little bit now but he still has his character. He is a lot of fun and I think people like that. If I was a tennis fan coming to watch a game, I would get bored if no one was showing emotions or joy or excitement or angriness. People love Marat when he breaks his rackets. Nobody does it like he does (laughters)! That is part of the show.

What do you have in common with Marat ?
Many people think that we don’t look like each other. And it’s true that we are not exactly the same physically. Speaking for the character, we look a lot like each other. For exemple we react the same when we lose: no one can talk to us for two or three hours. My father was like that. Marat and me are the same…

Do you get along well with him ?
It depends on what we are talking about. If we speak about tennis, it always finishes with a fight. But we are very close to each other and everytime we play in the same tournament we eat together every night. Well, at least we try… Marat is so busy sometimes… (laughters)

[Nimo Munz]

im happy she didnt let he's words bother me. If i had a brother and he discussed with the whole world his opinions of me i would bitch and moan forever!
Hopefully Marats win will inspire her to greater things i mean she beat Karolina Sprem the girl who defeated Venus Williams.... ;D

[Teresa]

Oh Anik thanks for that article/interview, its so sweet
I really hope Dinara does well in this tournament.

[tall_one]

Dinara & Anabel Medina Garrigues beat Foretz/Razzano 6/2 6/2

[Nimo Munz]

you go girls!!! ;D ;D

[Jasmine]

Good job, Girl.

Dinara got physical advantage. She's tall and strong. I'm waiting for the day she become a top player.

BTW, glad to hear that no hard feeling with Marat's word. This strong comments always happen to brother and sister who care to each other too much.

Good Luck, Dinara!

[tall_one]

Dinara beat Vera Douchevina 6/2 6/4, up next Serena

[Nimo Munz]

If Dinara beats Serena or even makes her run alitte bit i will bow the eff doen!!!

[SAFINNO1]

Promising Last Eight
10 February 2005 - Christian Lacaze
The public will get one’s money’s worth today. The quarter-finals matches promise to deliver some kind of a show. (Panomaric's Picture)


Serena Williams (N°1) vs Dinara Safina : a good sign ?

For her second match of the week, N°1 seed Serena Williams will face another girl from the new russian generation, Dinara Safina. Marat Safin’s sister likes to play at the Open Gaz de France as she reached the semi-finals last year for her first appearance. 18 year old Safina will face tournament’s double winner (1999 and 2003) Williams. The American already won the two matches she played against the Russian and eventually won the tournament every time (Pekin and Gaz de France in 2004).

[Anik]

Serena withdraws !! next tour, golovin !!