Dinara Safina
Top seed Dinara Safina
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Thursday, 18, Jun 2009 12:10
Date of birth: 27/04/1986 (Age: 23).
Nationality: Russian
Height: 6ft 1in
Weight: 150lbs
Plays: Right-handed
Turned professional: 2001
Current ATP singles ranking: 1
Best Wimbledon performance: Third round - 2005, 2006, 2008
Grass court pedigree
Safina has never registered anywhere near the same success on grass as on other surfaces, with her consistent form seeing her climb to number one in the world.
At the time of writing she is taking part in the Ordina Open as a final warm-up ahead of Wimbledon and has so far sealed her passage into the quarter-finals after straight-sets wins in the opening rounds.
The Russian did make the final of the same event last year before losing 7-5 6-3 to Tamarine Tanasugam, while she also reached the same final in 2006 where she was beaten by Michaella Krajicek.
Wimbledon seeding: 1st
Chances of SW19 success?
Safina blitzed all that was put in her way at the recent French Open but her inability to perform in a final was again noted as she lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova in straight sets.
She is widely considered to be a bit of a choker on the big stage having failed to win in three grand slam finals, while also losing in the showpiece match at three other events this year.
Safina did appear in one of the greatest matches at Wimbledon last year as she was on court for three hours before losing an epic to Shahar Peer as she looked for her first appearance in the last-16.
She is known for being able fight back from the jaws of defeat and this mentality could also stand her in good stead at Wimbledon, as she is sure to be involved in some tense encounters.
Prediction: Semi-finals
Although at the head of the world rankings, making the last four will be a positive step for Safina at Wimbledon.
However, she may benefit from being slightly more out of the limelight, with expectations not as high as is the case in other grand slams.
Known to suffer with her nerves, how she copes within herself is perhaps the biggest battle she has to win in the tournament.
It would also be nice to see that the world number one has a grand slam under her belt, although the Williams sisters could be tough nuts to crack on one of their favourite surfaces.
Craig Kemp