Post by Teresa on Aug 2, 2005 21:32:21 GMT 3
Gritty Safina overcomes Martinez
Tue Aug 2, 2005 8:27 AM BST
By Matthew Cronin
CARSLBAD, California, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Russian teenager Dinara Safina displayed her nerves of steel to edge past former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez 7-6 6-4 in the first round of the Acura Classic on Monday.
With the top eight seeds receiving byes, 14th-seed Daniela Hantuchova joined Safina in the second round by taking down Russian Maria Kirilenko 7-6 6-1.
Frenchwoman Tatiana Golovin became the most notable casualty on the opening day of the tournament when the 12th seed was upset by Russian teen Anna Chakvetadze 6-4 6-4.
Bulgarian 15-year-old Sesil Karatantcheva, who beat Venus Williams at the French Open in May, continued to make inroads in the women's game by claiming the scalp of 13th seed Shinobu Asagoe 6-1 0-6 7-5.
In a match under the lights, big-serving Safina briefly lost her way and she was forced to save four set points against Martinez in a nailbiting first-set tiebreak.
But she kept her wits to clinch it 13-11.
"I couldn't see where my toss was going and my serve is a big part of my game," said the 16th seed.
"In the tiebreaker I just kept fighting."
The 33-year-old Martinez tried to trip up Safina with a variety of spins and placement but the tall Russian produced the goods on the big points.
"In practice I've been working on fighting when I get tight," Safina said.
"Tonight, I got a little nervous but I told myself not to give up because I've been working so hard in practice and if you don't fight, then what's the point?"U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, the top seed, and twice grand slam finalist Elena Dementieva will open their campaigns on Tuesday.
World number one Lindsay Davenport, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams and French Open winner Justine Henin-Hardenne withdrew before the tournament began with injuries.
Tue Aug 2, 2005 8:27 AM BST
By Matthew Cronin
CARSLBAD, California, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Russian teenager Dinara Safina displayed her nerves of steel to edge past former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez 7-6 6-4 in the first round of the Acura Classic on Monday.
With the top eight seeds receiving byes, 14th-seed Daniela Hantuchova joined Safina in the second round by taking down Russian Maria Kirilenko 7-6 6-1.
Frenchwoman Tatiana Golovin became the most notable casualty on the opening day of the tournament when the 12th seed was upset by Russian teen Anna Chakvetadze 6-4 6-4.
Bulgarian 15-year-old Sesil Karatantcheva, who beat Venus Williams at the French Open in May, continued to make inroads in the women's game by claiming the scalp of 13th seed Shinobu Asagoe 6-1 0-6 7-5.
In a match under the lights, big-serving Safina briefly lost her way and she was forced to save four set points against Martinez in a nailbiting first-set tiebreak.
But she kept her wits to clinch it 13-11.
"I couldn't see where my toss was going and my serve is a big part of my game," said the 16th seed.
"In the tiebreaker I just kept fighting."
The 33-year-old Martinez tried to trip up Safina with a variety of spins and placement but the tall Russian produced the goods on the big points.
"In practice I've been working on fighting when I get tight," Safina said.
"Tonight, I got a little nervous but I told myself not to give up because I've been working so hard in practice and if you don't fight, then what's the point?"U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, the top seed, and twice grand slam finalist Elena Dementieva will open their campaigns on Tuesday.
World number one Lindsay Davenport, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams and French Open winner Justine Henin-Hardenne withdrew before the tournament began with injuries.
so did svetlana 
