Safina emulates brother by reaching top spot

LONDON, (Reuters) – Russia’s Dinara Safina was  confirmed as world number one in the WTA rankings published yesterday to complete a famous double for her family.

Safina, 23 next Monday, was assured earlier this month of  becoming the 19th world number one since the rankings started in  1975 and she is the second Russian to hold the position after  Maria Sharapova.

Sisters Serena and Venus Williams have both held top spot  but Safina’s ascent makes it the first time a brother and sister  have led the rankings. Marat Safin first became men’s world  number one in November 2000.