Beaten Safina misses chance to take top spot

Russian Dinara Safina lost her chance to become the world number one when she was beaten 6-7 6-1 6-3 by Victoria Azarenka in the quarter-finals of the WTA event in Indian Wells. The top seed, who would have replaced Serena Williams as the world's top...

Russian Dinara Safina lost her chance to become the world number one when she was beaten 6-7 6-1 6-3 by Victoria Azarenka in the quarter-finals of the WTA event in Indian Wells.

The top seed, who would have replaced Serena Williams as the world's top ranked player had she reached the final, was well beaten by the 19-year-old eighth seed.

Safina looked on course for victory when she saved a set point before snatching the opening set on the tie-break, 7-4.

But the wheels came off almost immediately as Azarenka ripped through the second set.

The Russian seemed to have righted the ship when she forged ahead 3-1 in the third, but Azarenka then won five straight games to clinch an upset win.

Azarenka will now play fourth seed Vera Zvonareva, who easily beat ninth seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark 6-4 6-2.

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