Player of the week: Dinara Safina

Russian Dinara Safina has been showing an impressive form in the last few months. It all started in Berlin, when Safina captured her biggest title so far in the Tier I of Berlin. Then she reached her first Grand Slam final in Rolang Garros. And, after a dissapointing 3rd round in Wimbledon, she has returned to her best level to take the title in Los Angeles.
Itue to her lack of regularity, Safina usually loses her focus from time to time, and this time it wasn't an exception. It was in her 3rd round match against Russian qualifier Alla Kudryavtseva, who took the second set by 6-0 while Safina seemed lost. But Safina survided, winning the first and the third set in the tie-break. Afterwards she was unstoppable. She defeated 8th seed Victoria Azarenka, 1st seed Jelena Jankovic and 10th seed Flavia Pennetta without dropping a set. Only Jankovic, who was looking for the #1 in the rankings, took her to a tiebreak.
Furthermore, with this title Safina gains a position in the rankings and reaches her career-high ranking peaking at #8. If she keeps this form, she may get even higher. Next goal are the Olympic Games, where she will be a real threaten for the top favourites.