Safina stays alive in Korea

Former world number one Ana Ivanovic was bundled out of the WTA Korea Open yesterday, but there was better news for Dinara Safina who continued her comeback from injury with a battling win.

The 22-year-old Serbian, who won the 2008 French Open before her slide down the rankings, blew a one-set lead against Vera Dushevina to crash out in the first round 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 at the rain-hit tournament.

Safina fared better, overcoming Romania’s Simona Halep 6-4, 6-4.

The Russian was handed a wildcard as she fights back from a lower back injury and will now play her compatriot, the third seeded Maria Kirilenko, who beat Poland’s Urszula Radwanska in straight sets.