MADRID, (Reuters) – Her Italian Open victory has given world number one Dinara Safina confidence that she is peaking at the right time to try to win her first grand slam title at the French Open starting later this month.
The Russian thrashed compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3 6-2 on Saturday to win the Italian title and is hoping to go one better than last year at Roland Garros when she lost in straight sets to Ana Ivanovic of Serbia in the final.
“I wouldn’t say that I felt under pressure,” the 23-year-old told a news conference at the Madrid Open clay event.
“I’m trying to focus on myself and I’m not thinking that much about my ranking and how I’m playing and all this.
