Safina contradicts retirement talk

Former World No. 1, Dinara Safina of Russia, says she has not made a final decision on her tennis future, contradicting her brother’s announcement that she had retired.

Safina told her followers on Twitter that she hasn’t made any official announcement and asks her fans to please give her some time and she’ll let everyone know.

Her brother, Marat Safin, said earlier that his younger sister had decided to quit the sport at 25 years old because of chronic back pain.

Safina has been on an indefinite break from tennis since May after two years of back problems.

Dinara Safina’s career appears to be over

Former World No. 1, Dinara Safina of Russia, appears to be calling it quits for her tennis career, according to her older brother, Marat Safin.

“Dinara was injured two years ago, in Beijing, remember?” Safin was quoted by Russian Eurosport as saying at a press conference in Beijing, where he was promoting a match against Pete Sampras. “She left, but never recovered completely. She tried to return, but only aggravated the crisis. Now she needs to keep her back to be able to walk normally and live a normal life. [Her back] will continue to be treated, but she will play no more…She will make an official statement herself, but as her brother, I believe that there is no chance of return.”

Former No. 1 Safina calls it quits for the year

Dinara Safina of Russia, former World No. 1, has called it quits for the year because of chronic back pain.

“I’m sorry to report that my back is still acting up and I will not be able to play until at least the end of the year,” she said on her official website (www.dinarasafina.com).

The 25-year-old, who has not played since early May, will miss her third successive grand slam tournament – the US Open – after also pulling out of the French Open and Wimbledon.

Goerges defeats Wozniacki in 2nd meeting in a row

Julia Goerges, the 22 year-old rising star from Germany, defeated World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark for the 2nd time in two weeks. Goerges won the 3rd round of the 2011 WTA Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open in Madrid, Spain in a see-saw 3-set match ending up 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.

Sharapova advances over Rezai at Indian Wells

No. 16 seed, Maria Sharapova advanced to the fourth round of the 2011 WTA BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells with an easy, straight sets win over No. 20 seed, Aravane Rezai of France, 6-2, 6-2.

Rezai was celebrating her 24th birthday, and was hoping for a win to cap it off, but it wasn’t to be. In just 73 minutes, Sharapova had put a damper on the birthday-girl’s hopes.

It took Sharapova a few games to get used to Rezai’s pace, but once she did, there was no stopping her. She benefited from her opponent’s missteps, but also played much better than in her last match, a three-set battle with Anabel Medina Garrigues.

Clijsters destroys Safina at Australian Open

In a clash between two who were formerly ranked World No. 1, Kim Clijsters completely annihilated Dinara Safina of Russia, handing out a humiliating double-bagel, 6-0, 6-0.

Dinara, the Australian Open 2009 finalist, became the first former No.1 in Open era history to suffer a double bagel defeat at a Grand Slam. Dinara has struggled since returning from back injury last summer. However, she never anticipated being hammered the way she was.

Wozniacki takes over World No. 1 ranking from Serena Williams

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark officially will take over the World No. 1 ranking when the new rankings are released on Monday. In doing so, she has dethroned Serena Williams of the USA.

The 20-year-old will become the first player from Denmark, male or female, to hold the top ranking after a 6-3, 6-2 win over Petra Kvitova at the China Open in Beijing on Thursday.

“This is a real big step for me. To be the world No. 1 has always been a dream for me,” Wozniacki said at the Beijing Tennis Center. “It doesn’t feel like it’s real.”

Sharapova loses in first round of Pan Pacific Open

No. 15 ranked Maria Sharapova of Russia was sent packing today by No. 67 ranked wildcard Kimiko Date Krumm of Japan in the first round of the 2010 Pan Pacific Open being played in Tokyo, Japan.

The 23-year-old Maria was the defending champion of this tournament, but was shown the exit door by a local resident and all-time Japanese # 1 Kimiko who turns 40 tomorrow.

Long-time Japanese crowd favorite Kimiko stunned the former world No. 1 Maria 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. Kimiko advanced in 2 hours, 9 minutes, as Maria, still struggling with her serve, piled up 11 double faults and had her big serve broken five times.

Hantuchova sends Safina packing in 1st round at U.S. Open

No. 24 seed, Daniela Hantuchova downed former World No. 1 Dinara Safina in the first round of the 2010 U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows.

Safina was the top seed here last year, but was eliminated in the 3rd round. She has been plagued by a back injury which has forced her to miss almost three months of the 2010 season, including Wimbledon. She reached the World No. 1 ranking in April of 2009, but her ranking has now dropped to 50th in the world in just over a year. She has yet to win a Grand Slam tournament.

Safina pulls out of Wimbledon

Dinara Safina of Russia has decided to pull out of the 2010 Wimbledon, following the lead of countrywoman, Elena Dementieva who withdrew because of a calf injury on Tuesday.

“I had to pull out today,” tweeted Safina on her Twitter feed. “My back injury came back and I can’t play… I tried but I can’t…sorry.”

Safina’s exit from the Grand Slam opens the way for Stephanie Dubois of Canada to enter the draw as a lucky loser.

In 2009, Safina reached the semifinals of Wimbledon before being crushed by Venus Williams of the USA in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1.