Safina sets up Pennetta clash

Errors end Mauresmo's challenge

Last updated: 2nd September 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Safina sets up Pennetta clash

Safina: cried in warm-up

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Russian Dinara Safina's pursuit of a maiden grand slam title is still on course after she crushed German qualifier Anna-Lena Groenefeld 7-5 6-0 to reach the US Open quarter-finals.

The sixth seed and three-time winner this year has reached six finals in her last seven tournaments, including at Roland Garros and the Olympics.

Groenefeld battled back bravely from 4-2 down in the opening set to level at 5-5, but that ended up being the last game the world number 141 managed to win.

After wrapping up the win in 75 minutes, a clearly emotional Safina said: "After the warm up I just started to cry. I could not stop crying. My coach said, 'Just go out there'.

"I said, 'I cannot push anymore myself'. He said, 'We know that you're not a machine. Just go out there and don't think.

"He told me again, 'just please don't show me any emotions, like these negative emotions. If you want, don't show even positive. Just go on the court and do whatever you can on this day.

"Slowly I started to feel like I still can push myself. I am really happy that I won."

The Russian, who is one of four players who could topple Ana Ivanovic from the world number one spot next week, will next face Flavia Pennetta, after the Italian beat former world number one Amelie Mauresmo 6-3 6-0.

Happy

The 29-year-old Frenchwoman had 14 double faults and 40 unforced errors to help 16th seed Pennetta reach her first grand slam quarter-final.

"Of course I am very happy about this tournament," Pennetta said. "In the beginning I never thought I could get to the quarter-finals... because I was so tired after (the Olympics) in Beijing.

"The first match was very tough for me. I didn't play my best tennis but I just tried to fight every point and keep going."

Pennetta added she would need to be on top form to stand a chance against Safina. "It's going to be tough for sure," she said.

"She's a good player and she's in good shape. For sure, I have to play my best tennis to beat her. In this moment I just want to enjoy. Tomorrow we don't play, so I have one day off and just prepare for this match."