Dinara Safina is hoping to emulate brother Marat by winning her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open.
Top seed talks up US Open chances
World number one Dinara Safina is hoping to emulate brother Marat by winning her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open.
Safina, the top seed in the women's draw, also hit back at those who say she is not worthy of the top ranking due to the lack of a major title on her CV.
The Russian, who made her Grand Slam debut in New York seven years ago, intends to put the record straight with victory at Flushing Meadows.
"This is the first Grand Slam where I played the main draw, so it's special," Safina, 23, said.
"And my brother won here (in 2000). To see him after, holding the trophy, you get some unbelievable feelings.
"I also started my professional career here and I won doubles here. So why not singles?
"I always had good results here. I like playing here. Staying in downtown Manhattan you always have shopping. If you make some cash you can go spend some."
Critics
Chief among the critics of Safina's position as world number one is second-ranked Serena Williams, who has won 11 Grand Slam singles titles.
"I think if you hold three Grand Slam titles maybe you should be number one, but not on the WTA Tour obviously," Williams said at Wimbledon in July.
"My motivation is maybe just to win another Grand Slam and stay number two, I guess.
"I'd rather definitely be number two and hold three Grand Slams in the past year than be number one and not have any."
Safina, however, brushed off Williams' comments.
"I don't care," Safina responded. "I'm not doing the ranking system. What can I do?
"There is a ranking and if you look at the ranking, I'm number one."
Safina opens her campaign against Australia's Olivia Rogowska.
