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Russia's Dinara Safina reacts during her match against Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic during the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 20, 2010. [Photo/Agencies] |
MELBOURNE: Second-seeded Dinara Safina is through to the third round of the Australian Open.
Safina, sister of 2005 Australian Open men's champion Marat Safin, had to endure criticism last year that her inability to win a major meant her No. 1 ranking did not reflect the true top-rated player.
The 23-year-old Russian was a finalist at the French Open, a semifinalist at Wimbledon and lost in the second round at the 2009 U.S. Open. She attained the No. 1 ranking last April but had lost top spot to Serena Williams by the end of the year.