Dinara! Part 1

Good job Dina!

Dina :woohoo:
Michaela :sad:

Dina :woohoo:
Michaela :sad:

Uhm...that was yesterday hun. She beat Pin now ;) Get with the program will ya? ;)

Step it up Dinara...!!

Uhm...that was yesterday hun. She beat Pin now ;) Get with the program will ya? ;)

Step it up Dinara...!!

I can mourne a day after, no? You non-patriot :ras:

I can mourne a day after, no? You non-patriot :ras:

:devil:

:devil:

Just you wait till 20-2 :p

Just you wait till 20-2 :p

What happens then?

What happens then?

:aplot:

:aplot:

:unsure:

uh oh.....i sense a dutchie war coming up :scared: GO DINA!!

We don't make war. We make... love? :unsure:

Anyways, Dinara up against Petrova next.

Good luck Dina

Dina lost

:( How bad!

:awww:

Poor Dina!

Yeah, i was at the match and she was really sad at the end... She had some opportunities but Nadia was serving too strong and Dina made some unforced errors in tough moments... She was really angry at her but i think she keeps trying and fighting but that was simply not a good day... Mays not recover 100% from her battle against Pin... Good times will come soon Dina, don't worry !

Carol, I just saw some of Amélie vs Chakvetadze. Nice match, nice crowd behind Amélie supporting her. :D

Carol, I just saw some of Amélie vs Chakvetadze. Nice match, nice crowd behind Amélie supporting her. :D


Yeah the match was nice but it was kind of sad because Anna was crying at the end... Honnestly she was the one who plays the smartest all along the match, but she often missed the last shot... There were too some bad calls for the lines judges so honnestly i feel like Amélie is a bit lucky to have won that one... She has more experience than Anna and it helped a lot today, plus with the crowd all behind her... But it was a nice match to watch with really good shots.

Yeah the match was nice but it was kind of sad because Anna was crying at the end... Honnestly she was the one who plays the smartest all along the match, but she often missed the last shot... There were too some bad calls for the lines judges so honnestly i feel like Amélie is a bit lucky to have won that one... She has more experience than Anna and it helped a lot today, plus with the crowd all behind her... But it was a nice match to watch with really good shots.

Yeah, Anna is a smart player, she made it a match, and some great shotmaking, that's why I liked it. I mean those 6-0 6-1 snorefests in women's tennis are what ppl complain about. ;)
And well, luck is a part of it, we as Marat fans should be used to that. *noodle* ;) Amélie deserved it though, especially at home. Anna's time will come.

I feel Nadia vs Amélie could be a big one ! And Safarova is playing amazing, she could make a surprise against Henin.. I've seen her play against Vaidsova and she was incredible, really gifted player and smart and, this is a big plus, she's really nice with everybody, not a diva at all...

Oh yeah, Nadia vs Amélie should be great. :D

And it's good to have JuJu back. I feel sorry for her with all this divorce and family story, nice person or not.

Someday they'll have to explain the journos the Open Gaz de France is played in Coubertin... NOT in Bercy! :rolleyes: Well I guess it's still better than that chick on the radio last night who thought it was still the AO... :tape:
Ele Asu? :p I was :rolleyes:ing too :lol:

After today Dinara won't be anymore the only player who won the Open Gaz de France without being French and/or having been #1 at some point in her career (so far :angel: )

Dina won her first round in Antwerp against Vesnina : 6-4, 6-1 ! Congrats girl :) Now she'll face again Krajicek in the second round, like at the Open Gaz de France... It won't be an easy one but i hope she'll make it !

sigh. why's it always michaella. miekos and mir are going to hide in a corner and cry again :lol:

sigh. why's it always michaella. miekos and mir are going to hide in a corner and cry again :lol:

Poor girl. Wins her first match, if I'm correct, of 2007 and meets Dinara again in the 2nd.
I saw Michaella's first set yesterday, but it didn't look all too good... But maybe she has some secret strategy for Dinara, you never know...

Poor girl. Wins her first match, if I'm correct, of 2007 and meets Dinara again in the 2nd.
I saw Michaella's first set yesterday, but it didn't look all too good... But maybe she has some secret strategy for Dinara, you never know...


She did beat Dina in the 2006 Ordina open final :shrug:
But I guess she was lucky then....
Go Dina :tape:

She did beat Dina in the 2006 Ordina open final :shrug:
But I guess she was lucky then....
Go Dina :tape:

At home advantage?? Definitly in her match vs. Dementieva :tape: :lol:

Dina won! :bigclap: 6-2, 7-6!

She faces Amelie Mauresmo or Virginie Razzano next!

Tough draw for Dina!

urggh. that sucks. but she's done it before so she can do it again :)

Well done Dina

Dear Lord,

please help Dina beat Momo again,
and let Momo oaf as much as necessary. :p

Thank you

Hope she can pull it off!
:yeah:

Dina lost 1-6, 3-6...

ouch :sad:

:awww:

Not fun :awww:

brain sharing again it seems :awww:

brain sharing again it seems :awww:

you sure? it seems that yesterday none of them was using it :o :sad:

that's why it shows they were sharing it. too dilute to use properly ;)

Women's draw is out, and it's the return of the BYE :banana:
And Dinara plays BYE in the first round... I don't remember they ever met, did they? :p
GOOOOOOOOOOOOO Dina!!!!! :banana: :crazy:

Women's draw is out, and it's the return of the BYE :banana:
And Dinara plays BYE in the first round... I don't remember they ever met, did they? :p
GOOOOOOOOOOOOO Dina!!!!! :banana: :crazy:

The BYE family vs. the Safin family!

Go Safins! :p :lol:

i think the safins will win. what do you guys think?

Oh I'm sure both Safins can win, I mean they're the best tennis family in the World after all, not the Byes, no? :D

i think the safins will win. what do you guys think?
I think so too. If they don't, I stop supporting them :o

the Bye beat Fed last time, it would be no shame :shrug:

I was at the match! :eek: :hearts: :worship:

:lol:

I think so too. If they don't, I stop supporting them :o

fairweather fan :ras:

fairweather fan :ras:

:ras:

she won, 6-3 5-7 6-3!

Ooooh yay!
Who did she play??

Ooooh yay!
Who did she play??

Domachowska, I think

:banana:

:woohoo:

Brava Dinara!!;)

:banana:
Talk to your brother about how to win a match please :hug:

Dina lost the last game blank on her serve... So the match is ended : 4-6, 3-6... Maybe she was tired from her first match which was very long... She doesn't play agressive enough but Bartoli played a big match, taking her chances and defending very well...
Bad week for the Safin, no brain to share...

not a great week for teh safins.

Ouch Dina...

:sad:

dinara d. Laura Granville 6-1 6-1:D :D

well done dina

nice and easy does the trick. :D

nice and easy does the trick. :DShe needs to hurry up and give the brain back!

:yeah: nice scoreline!! ... keep it up Dina! :banana:

She needs to hurry up and give the brain back!

Even HALF might be enough......:rolleyes:

Congrats Dina ! Proof that a Safin can win one match at Miami... Go on now girl :)

Sugiyama next :awww: I like Sugi...

me too...aiiiiiiii :awww: (pun intended)

http://images.sonyericssonopen.com/content/0000000122_l.jpg

Try a larger number with that outfit, Dina :o

:lol:

they can't find clothes their size in that family :awww:

:lol::lol::lol:i don't know why but dinara always wears her tops like this...except in the end of last year when adidas made longer tops...i don't know if it's her body which is too tall.she's better in dresses!anyways go dinaraaa! beat ai!

She was wearing this one outfit last year that was just perfect. But, for some reason I can't quite remember what it looked like :lol:

Dinara was so good at Gold Coast. I don't know what happened after that. I want to see her find her best form.

hopefully she'll do well in miami!

Dina won 6-4 3-6 6-1!

:banana:

Petrova next. :scared:

Go Dina! :banana:

Congrats Dina

she won her doubles match too!

:woohoo:

Petrova next. :scared:

:unsure: Davai Dina!

cmon dina!!!!! :woohoo: that's not too bad :D

Court 1: 11:00 AM Start

1. Women's Singles: 4th Round
Nadia Petrova (RUS) [6] vs. Dinara Safina (RUS) [10] :unsure:


Court 6: 11:00 AM Start

4. Women's Doubles: 2nd Round
Corina Morariu (USA)
Francesca Schiavone (ITA) vs. Tatiana Golovin (FRA)
Dinara Safina (RUS) WC :kiss:

Dina just lost to Nadia :sad:
Good luck on the doubles :dance:

Dina lost against Nadia 6-3, 2-6, 4-6... Pity because she gave such a fight in the third, coming back from 1-4 to first 3-4 then losing her serve but she saved a MP at 3-5 and broke back... Then she was really close, up 40-15 on her serve but she lost all the next points, with no first serve in... Bad luck but great fight Dina, big wins are going to come back soon, you're on the way :)

:awww: Seems that she fought though :yeah:

she won the doubles :)

:woohoo:
Davai Dina !!!

Well done Dina, a win is still a win ;)

yay Dina, go for the doubles title :yeah:

That's great,brava Dina!:D

dina lost her doubles match. o well , at least she made it to QF!

I am not surprised...I saw her doubles match on Sunday vs. Clijsters/Maes, and she was doing all the work :rolls:. Actually it was like watching a singles match between her and kimmy :lol:. She must've gotten tired :awww:. Golovin was just happy to be there, working on the tan :lol:, she was smiling even after she hit an UE, which was every time she'd get to a ball. Dina was really intense on the other hand,and stared Tatiana down after she missed a volley, looked back at Dinara and smiled, it was priceless :haha:. She even threw her rackets once. Some lady in front of us turned to another who was txting or something and was like "aw, you just missed it, she threw her racket!" "who did?" "who else?!" :haha: Dina is a really good volleyer btw :eek: or was having a really good volleying day, but I was impressed, I had no idea :worship:.

Dinara is a very good doubles player (remember the Fed Cup :p) and that's one of the reasons why Marat will never play mixed with her :o

:lol: great report ... love the Tati comments "working on the tan":rolls:

"aw, you just missed it, she threw her racket!" "who did?" "who else?!" :haha:

Oh boy :o :o :rolls:

"aw, you just missed it, she threw her racket!" "who did?" "who else?!"

who??? :devil:

tati has a good enough tan already. she doesn't need more :ras:

Golovin was just happy to be there, working on the tan :lol:,:spit: Tati? no way :p :angel:

She even threw her rackets once. Some lady in front of us turned to another who was txting or something and was like "aw, you just missed it, she threw her racket!" "who did?" "who else?!" :haha: :haha: :haha:

Dinara is a very good doubles player (remember the Fed Cup :p) and that's one of the reasons why Marat will never play mixed with her :oYep, this chicken is afraid she'd make him look ridiculous :cool:

dinara wins her first clay match against michelle krajicek, 6-4 7-5

:bounce: Davai Dinara:bounce:

yay Dina
poor Michaela........again

yay Dina
poor Michaela........again

Yepp..... yay for Dina, but awwww. for Micha....
That's like the 3rd time, THIS YEAR!!!!!! What's with that...... couldn't be a regular draw or something... I feel a conspiracy here.........

:hug: :hug: to the dutchies. and :ras: to the draw-riggers :p

and once again.. nadia petrova lurkssss in the future.

dina won her match against katarina srebotnik 6-3 6-1

will play against petrova (again!) next.

See...... Pertova AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!

Conspiracy....................

:awww: they should stop entering the same tournaments :haha: :haha:

:haha: :haha:

Think that's the best solution too :p

dina lost 4-6 5-7

:awww: really. someone should tell these girls to plan their schedules properly :lol:

Charleston draw:

Nicole Vaidisova CZE [1] has a BYE
Alina Jidkova RUS vs Michaella Krajicek NED [WC]
Virginie Razzano FRA vs Meghann Shaughnessy USA
Alicia Molik AUS vs Sybille Bammer AUT [15]

Vera Zvonareva RUS [9] vs Nathalie Dechy FRA
Meilen Tu USA vs Flavia Pennetta ITA
[Q/LL] vs Gisela Dulko ARG
Ana Ivanović SRB [7] has a BYE

Dinara Safina RUS [4] has a BYE
Eleni Daniilidou GRE vs Romina Oprandi ITA
Vania King USA vs Lourdes Dominguez Lino ESP
Shenay Perry USA vs Marion Bartoli FRA [13]

Tatiana Golovin FRA [10] vs [Q/LL]
[Q/LL] vs Jill Craybas USA
Shuai Peng CHN vs [Q/LL]
Patty Schnyder SUI [6] has a BYE



No Nadia here ;)

No Nadia here ;)


:lol:

Maybe this one will be Dina's tournament then :P

:bounce: Go Dina.... No Nadia who can stop you ;)

No Nadia here ;)

but there's the BYE :scared:

:p

the BYE can't resist losing to the Safin siblings ;) no nadia so this is dina's for the taking :lol:

the BYE can't resist losing to the Safin siblings ;) no nadia so this is dina's for the taking :lol:

Don't jinx Miss Mod!

:sad: wokeej ms blonde dutchie :p

Dina won 6-3, 6-4 against Daniilidou ! Congrats girl ! Now she'll play dominguez lino in the next round.

Congrats to Dina!!!!

:banana:

Yayyyyyyy!!! Go girl! :D

Congrats DIna

Has someone seen Dina play recently? cuz I just saw an avatar on WTAWorld in which she has several necklaces :scared: (is it contagious? is it in the genes? :tape:)

Dinara defeated Lourdes DOMINGUEZ LINO 6/2 6/2 :yippee:

next: Golovin or Peng

Way to go Dina ! :)

Has someone seen Dina play recently? cuz I just saw an avatar on WTAWorld in which she has several necklaces :scared: (is it contagious? is it in the genes? :tape:)

:shrug: It's just one.

:shrug: It's just one.

Not on the avy i saw Mieke! I know usually it's just one, but the reason I asked is because on the pic I saw she had a chain, and some black necklace which i think was twice around her neck....

Not on the avy i saw Mieke! I know usually it's just one, but the reason I asked is because on the pic I saw she had a chain, and some black necklace which i think was twice around her neck....

:shrug: She wasn't wearing it during the match against Daniilidou..... :shrug:

Go Dinara. GL against Bepa. :)

This pic is from her match against Daniiliou :shrug: All seems normal :lol:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/AnnieRussia/Other%20players/13573581Milaya412200765846AM.jpg

Go Dinara. GL against Bepa. :)

Unfortunatly, it's Golovin. :unsure:

Unfortunatly, it's Golovin. :unsure:

And if she wins that match, and Mischa Krajicek wins her match agains Zvornareva (don't think so, but you never know :P) the semi's will be:

Mischa - Dina again :scared:

Uhoh..........

And if she wins that match, and Mischa Krajicek wins her match agains Zvornareva (don't think so, but you never know :P) the semi's will be:

Mischa - Dina again :scared:

Uhoh..........

That would be a good thing :banana: :p
But not very likely to happen... I'm afraid.

Unfortunatly, it's Golovin. :unsure:

And Tati's been playing well lately...:tape:

:shrug: She wasn't wearing it during the match against Daniilidou..... :shrug:

This pic is from her match against Daniiliou :shrug: All seems normal :lol:
:lol: ok, must have been a pic from a few weeks ago. It looked recent, but I don't know when it as...

And Tati's been playing well lately...:tape:yeah, she won her first title, sh's probably full of confidence... but maybe tired also :p let's hope so ;)

yeah, she won her first title, sh's probably full of confidence... but maybe tired also :p let's hope so ;)

Meanie :p I like Tati, yes, she's a bit of a Barbie Doll, but she was so adorable when she won :lol:

Plus she's not one of the line of current women players who just hit the ball as hard as they can and hope it goes in :rolleyes: Her passing shots against Nadia in the Amelia Island final were :hearts:

Meanie :p I like Tati, yes, she's a bit of a Barbie Doll, but she was so adorable when she won :lol:

Plus she's not one of the line of current women players who just hit the ball as hard as they can and hope it goes in :rolleyes: Her passing shots against Nadia in the Amelia Island final were :hearts:

I like Tati too :p but she's facing Dina now :shrug: (and in case you haven't noticed, :secret: we're in a cheering thread for Dinara ;))

I like Tati too :p but she's facing Dina now :shrug: (and in case you haven't noticed, :secret: we're in a cheering thread for Dinara ;))

OK, OK, I get it :p I will only wish Dina well in this thread ;)

Meanie :p I like Tati, yes, she's a bit of a Barbie Doll, but she was so adorable when she won :lol:


I don't see it, at all. :shrug:

Go Dina, gooo!

I don't see it, at all. :shrug:

Go Dina, gooo!

are you kidding? :p besides, it's not like the girl herself denies it ;) she likes to look good, she likes fashion on and off court, she's always said she wants to dress like any girl her age, even on court (hence the mini shorts etc), and she oftens talks about how she loves living in Paris and going shopping in famous expensive shops :p
and that's the reason why in RG last year, in their laundry karaoke, they made her sing "barbie girl" ;). She's got some good sense of humour so she did it ;)

I don't see it, at all. :shrug:

Go Dina, gooo!

She's a bit of a Sharapova/Kirilenko kinda girl if that makes any sense :lol:

Let's hope Dina can turn their H2H around a bit :yeah:

She's a bit of a Sharapova/Kirilenko kinda girl if that makes any sense :lol:

Let's hope Dina can turn their H2H around a bit :yeah:

With the difference that Kirilenko actually is pretty and Sharapova isn't :p

But yeah, H2H needs a positive change!

With the difference that Kirilenko actually is pretty and Sharapova isn't :p

But yeah, H2H needs a positive change!

:lol: Kirilenko and Tati tend not to look as mannish as Sharapova has a habit to ;)

dinara wins 6-3. tati retires.

I just saw the result. I hope Tati was only tired, and that she didn't get injured :awww:

:rolls: sorry, don't mean to be nasty or anything, but I'm reading through all the barbie girl 'bashing', then this ... dinara wins 6-3. tati retires.
:crazy: gooooooo Dina!!

:lol:

poor tati. hey! adam's current avvy is of barbie girl :o

Well, I doubt anyone retires from a match just because of being tired....
Edit: See, I'm right... ankle injury. Hopefully not too bad.

Anyway :banana: Dina!

Go Dina! ;)

i've just read that Dina retired from the double because she was injured and wanted to keep her chances for the semi-final of the single... But it isn't said where she's injured... I hope it's not too serious... Well if she can still play single maybe it's not that big but still, i hope it won't disturb the rest of her clay season...

i've just read that Dina retired from the double because she was injured and wanted to keep her chances for the semi-final of the single... But it isn't said where she's injured... I hope it's not too serious... Well if she can still play single maybe it's not that big but still, i hope it won't disturb the rest of her clay season...

Wrist.
But it might not be anything.

yeah and i've just seen that Vera is suffering from the same injury and has also withdrawn from double so at least they'll be equal for the semi ! Davai Dina !

talk about evening things out between players :lol:

talk about evening things out between players :lol:

:lol: As long as they don;t even out their H2H. ;)
I'll actually have coverage. :eek:

Dina is in the finals, Vera has given up at the start of the second (1-0) set after having lost the first (3-6).
Now Dina will face Jelena Jankovic who has battled 2h30 against Venus Williams (3-6, 6-3, 7-6[5]).

:yeah:
good luck Dinarik :banana:

Cute reaction to Vera's retirement :lol:

Cute reaction to Vera's retirement :lol:

:shrug: I guess it's not the best way to win a match, but Dina reached her first final since Gold Coast, and I hope she will continue her run :cool:

:shrug: I guess it's not the best way to win a match, but Dina reached her first final since Gold Coast, and I hope she will continue her run :cool:

Nope, not the best way. She was all "wtf is this, winning by 2 retirements in a row". :lol:
Well... tomorrow's gonna be tough. 'Funny' fact is Dina beat Jankovic in their only meeting 3 years ago, by retirement from Jankovic ;)

Cute reaction to Vera's retirement :lol:

Yeah she was laughing but i think it was more like " why all these girls are giving up against me suddenly?" That was strange to see her laugh but it was clear it was not in an not fair play way, i feel she didn't know what to do with herself at the moment !

Yeah she was laughing but i think it was more like " why all these girls are giving up against me suddenly?" That was strange to see her laugh but it was clear it was not in an not fair play way, i feel she didn't know what to do with herself at the moment !

I thought she handled it with class. Cute class ;)

I thought she handled it with class. Cute class ;)

Yeah she was cute and funny ! But Vera it was strange because she called her coach to get advice after the 1st set then won her first game in the second set with good serves and then sat down and said she retired... But i remember she got some troubles before with wrist so i hope she'll be okay sson because she's starting to play very well again...
Anyway, Davai Dina, the trophy is waiting :)

Well, I doubt anyone retires from a match just because of being tired....
Edit: See, I'm right... ankle injury. Hopefully not too bad.

Anyway :banana: Dina!
well there's this fatigue injury, don't know how it's called in English... when you don't really twists or sprain anything but just suffer from repeated efforts. With the week she had last week it wouldn't have been surprising ;) But I heard it's her ankles, which is a problem because it ain't the first time, and there's Fed Cup next week :awww:

Anyway, Dina's being lucky. Take your chance girl! :bounce:

Go Dinara! :banana:

Dina is in the finals, Vera has given up at the start of the second (1-0) set after having lost the first (3-6).
Now Dina will face Jelena Jankovic who has battled 2h30 against Venus Williams (3-6, 6-3, 7-6[5]).

cmon dina! beat that jelena girl! :rocker:

Yeah she was laughing but i think it was more like " why all these girls are giving up against me suddenly?" That was strange to see her laugh but it was clear it was not in an not fair play way, i feel she didn't know what to do with herself at the moment !

they're scaaarreedddd..all of them. scaaaarrreeeedd. either that or they have a crush on her brother which is less likely methinks :p

C'mon Dinara. Beat Jankobitch. :rocker2:

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p59/frensje/smilies/russische2smilie.gif GO DINA!!!!!!!!!!!! http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p59/frensje/smilies/russische2smilie.gif

Good luck for the Final!!!!!!

Marat could use some of Dinara's 'luck' right now.

Dina lost 6-2, 6-2... it was very windy and she kept arguing with the sky and everything... Jankovic played solid, making her running a lot and doing some great winners. Dina makes a lot of errors but she fought. Was leading 2-0 in the second set and start missing again... Jankovic had dealt a lot better with the tough conditions and Dina didn't seem in a good day at all...
Bad luck Dina but still a great week with a finals in a Tier I so congrats !

she was crying and texting someone on the bench. :awww: poor thing, she couldn't do much against the wind and always had to wait for ages before seving :hug:

:awww: Dina :hug:

they're scaaarreedddd..all of them. scaaaarrreeeedd. either that or they have a crush on her brother which is less likely methinks :p:spit:

C'mon Dinara. Beat Jankobitch. :rocker2::eek: rude :o

she was crying and texting someone on the bench. :awww: poor thing, she couldn't do much against the wind and always had to wait for ages before seving :hug::awww: good week though :hug:

:awww: Poor Dina :hug:

But still.... She made it to the final :yeah: !
Better luck next time.....

she was crying and texting someone on the bench. :awww:
Aww...didn't see that. Poor thing.
If only she could improve her 'mobility' on court, she'd be winning matches like these.
Still, gained a top 10 spot again now, if I'm not mistaken. :rocker2:

Dinara. :sad:

owww dina :sad: but. good week anyway, and well, safins vs wind, wind wins yet again :ras:

aww, what a shame! :awww:

owww dina :sad: but. good week anyway, and well, safins vs wind, wind wins yet again :ras:

The commentators here in Brazil said if Marat was in Dina's situation he probably would've broken 3 racquets. :lol: I don't have a doubt it.

Aww...didn't see that. Poor thing.
If only she could improve her 'mobility' on court, she'd be winning matches like these.
Still, gained a top 10 spot again now, if I'm not mistaken. :rocker2:
Yes, she's in top 10 again. :D
Take her example, Marat! :angel:

The commentators here in Brazil said if Marat was in Dina's situation he probably would've broken 3 racquets. :lol: I don't have a doubt it.

she was near to break one or two at some points but she refrained herself, maybe she souldn't have ;)

Jankovic Wins Family Circle Cup


CHARLESTON, SC, USA - One year ago she was in the midst of a 10-match losing streak and working her way down the rankings. It's funny how the wind can change direction at the drop of a hat, however; on an incredibly blistery Sunday afternoon in Charleston, Jelena Jankovic continued her awesome career turnaround and climb up the Top 10 with her third and biggest Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title at the Family Circle Cup.

Sunday's final was somewhat anticlimactic, considering Jankovic's marathon semifinal against an unseeded Venus Williams, which lasted for more than two-and-a-half hours, ending with the No.2-seeded Serb winning, 36 63 76(5). No.4 seed Dinara Safina provided little resistance in the windy final, going down in straight sets, 62 62.

"I had an awesome week here," Jankovic said. "Especially beating Venus. Today in the final it was a bit of a different story because of the weather. It was really windy and tough circumstances, but I gave my best, and I'm the champion. I'm so happy I won this title. It's my first Tier I title. It's a really amazing feeling."

Safina came out strong in the early stages of both sets, going up 2-1 in the first then 2-0 in the second, but every time Jankovic retaliated with a string of easy games, none of which even went to deuce. It was over in one hour, 11 minutes.

"It was not my day," Safina said. "I was struggling with the weather, but it was the same for her, so I think she was able to handle it better than me. I was giving away too many free points. With this weather you have to make someone play."

"She was having a difficult time, but I was also; it's not easy playing in this kind of weather, but there is nothing you can do about it," Jankovic added. "Especially when we were serving. I was just trying to stay focused and positive out there."

By virtue of reaching her second career Tier I final, having finished runner-up at Rome to Martina Hingis last year, Safina will return to the Top 10 on Monday, at No.10. She was No.10 for four weeks last year and three more in January. With a title here she could have risen to No.9, but she was still pleased with her week.

"I'm definitely happy," the Russian said. "I wouldn't have expected to reach the finals. If somebody told me I was going to be in the final I would shake his hand and say 'I'll give you half of my prize money.' Sometimes it just goes your way."
For Jankovic, the title win represents another giant step in her career turnaround. She was a first round loser at this event last season then fell out of the Top 30, but she was one of the hottest players of the year thereafter; she hasn't changed a thing in 2007, claiming Auckland in January, cracking the Top 10 soon after and, with her second title of the year here, moving up to No.7 on Monday.

"You see what I mean by the wind?" Jankovic joked. "Some things are meant to happen for a reason. Maybe if those things didn't happen I wouldn't be here. That period made me a lot stronger and now I realize some things and values. Now, I appreciate my results a little more; I appreciate things a lot more than before."

One of the things the 22-year-old will appreciate when she returns to defend her trophy next year is a banner of her among former champions at the event, which include tennis legends Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf and Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario, as well as a smattering of active players like Jennifer Capriati, Martina Hingis, Mary Pierce and Justine Henin.

"I'm the new poster girl," Jankovic said. "Next year, when I come here, hopefully I'll see my picture up there. It's a good feeling!"

Joyeux Anniversaire Dinara! :aparty: :banana:

aarrfhh! totally forgot about it :lol:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DINARA!!!!!!!!!

Happy 21st Dinarochka :aparty: :aparty: :aparty:

Happy Birthday, Dinarik! :bdaycake: :yippee:

Happy Birthday, Dinara! :aparty:

Happy Birthday, Dina !!!!!

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n160/maribrasil_83/TGFR/happybirthday8.gif

Happy Bday Dinara!!!!!

btw my sis has a bday today and she is 21 now..they both were born on a same day and the same year))

:banana: :banana: :banana: Happy Birthday, Dinara! :aparty: :woohoo:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DINARA!
Пусть день твой будет солнечным, прекрасным.
И розами твой будет устлан путь.
И каждый вечер- звёздным, чистым, ясным.
Динара, всегда счастливой будь!!!
BESOS Y ABRAZOS!
:bdaycake:

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p59/frensje/smilies/birthdaychoire.gif

:aparty: Happy Birthday, Dinara.... :bdaycake: Hope you'll have a brilliant one :D

Wow, I absolutely forgot about it :o
Happy birthday Dina :aparty:
Happy Bday Dinara!!!!!

btw my sis has a bday today and she is 21 now..they both were born on a same day and the same year))happy birthday to your sis :wavey:

happy birthday dinara!

A very happy birthday to Dinara!

Happy Birthday Dinara. :aparty:

happy birthday Dinara:bdaycake:

happy birthday to your sis tochilka!!

happy birthday oafette!

Webby said that this year Dinara's b'day has been postponed to may 27th ;)

it's the start of RG that day :bounce:

...but Webby said that Dinara and Marat will be celebrating Dinara's birthday together in Valencia that day...webby SAID!

OMG Dinara will play Kaia Kanepi in Rome today. :eek: :tape:

It was bound to happen one day M'aaam. Hang in there :lol: :hug:

ma'am :hug: :hug:

Dinara won 7/6 6/2 :banana:

Dinara won 7/6 6/2 :banana:

:woohoo:

ma'am :hug:

:banana: :banana: :banana:

:woohoo:

ma'am :hug:

Thanks dear, it's a decent scoreline, I heard Kaia made too many DFs and UEs in the end... typical her... but well done, Dinara! :yeah:

Next up Katerina Bondarenko tomorrow. Should be easy too. :)

:bounce: :dance: :dance: :dance:

Dina won against Bondarenko 6-2, 6-3 !
Now she'll face Kuznetsova or Fedak

:woohoo:

She already played Sveta in Rome semis last year and won so you never know ;)

:banana:

will eurosport show it?

I mean her match with Kuznetsova.?

Dinara is in the top quarter. She'll play Yuliana Fedak.

Come on, girl!!! :rocker2:

Good luck to Dinara at RG. :banana:

her draw is not easy. she has so many points to defend...

Good Luck Dinara!:bounce:

Kick ass Dina :yeah:

DAVAI DINA! :rocker:

Good luck Dinara!!!

Good luck 2morrow, Dinara.......

:secret: She'll be playing the same time as her big bro... maybe that'll give luck!!!!! :secret:

same time? uh oh :scared:

Dina won 7-5, 6-4 vs Fedak, congrats girl ! She was down 2-4 in the second before the rain.

:banana:

:yeah: Good job, Dinara!!!!! :banana:

Good luck for the next round !!!

davai dinara!

good thing the brain was available after the raindelay :p

:banana:

Dinara was down 3-5 in the first set and 2-4 in the second, but she won four games in a row on both occasions. :p

:yeah: good thing they managed to get a few more matches completed yesterday :lol:

:yeah: good thing they managed to get a few more matches completed yesterday :lol:

You mean today.:p

yesterday :ras:
ok fine. today then since it was past midnight my time

yesterday :ras:
ok fine. today then since it was past midnight my time

:D :lol:

And again have a great trip!:hug:

Well Done Dina!! :woohoo:

good thing the brain was available after the raindelay :p

:banana:
:lol: Indeed!
Congrats Dinara :hug:

after the rain delay she needed to win 15 points and they played 17 or 18 points :lol: She was really really motivated and encouraging herself with "come on" or "vamos" after every point :p
before the rain she was playing crap :o

Dina started her match vs. Obziler. She is up a break leading 3-1:yeah:

4-1 now : that's the best player of the family, now it's official...

Dina won 6-1, 6-0, congrats girl !

:woohoo: Congrats Dina!:worship: Any advice for your brother..:p

congrats Dina :banana:

4-1 now : that's the best player of the family, now it's official...

I remember when I was smiling at Marat saying that someday his sister would be better than him :o

I remember when I was smiling at Marat saying that someday his sister would be better than him :o

exactly... But we all know she's the more steady of both ! And she's the proof that when you have less natural talent, you are often a better worker... I feel she's way more dedicated to improve herself... And her new coach is great... But like she said, she'll always feel like it's Marat first and her behind ;)

exactly... But we all know she's the more steady of both ! And she's the proof that when you have less natural talent, you are often a better worker... I feel she's way more dedicated to improve herself... And her new coach is great... But like she said, she'll always feel like it's Marat first and her behind ;)

Well it's working fine so keep it up I'd say