Ever since Safina’s brother upset the legendary Pete Sampras to win the 2000 U. S. open, she’s been known, slightly pejoratively, as Marat’s little sister. But in 2008, Dinara Safina finally smashed that unwanted label with her powerful shots and stunning victories. It would also be the year that changed her tennis career and even her life. Like her brother Marat Safin, who is six years older than her, Dinara has also struggled to harness the volatile emotions that too often undermined her during competition.
The 22- year-old Russian began 2008 ranked a discontented No.15 and posted a desultory 11-10 record by early May when she arrived at the German open. It would become the breakout tournament of her breakthrough year. With a new coach who instilled positive thinking, she calmly upsets superstars Justine Henin and Serena Williams before beating compatriot Elena Dementieva in the final. At the French open Safina proved she truly had emerged as a formidable force.
The 22- year-old Russian began 2008 ranked a discontented No.15 and posted a desultory 11-10 record by early May when she arrived at the German open. It would become the breakout tournament of her breakthrough year. With a new coach who instilled positive thinking, she calmly upsets superstars Justine Henin and Serena Williams before beating compatriot Elena Dementieva in the final. At the French open Safina proved she truly had emerged as a formidable force.
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