Safina and Tanasugarn reach Ordina final

Safina once again got the better of compatriot and top seed Elena Dementieva with an easy 6-3 6-2 victory. Safina also beat Dementieva in the French Open semis two weeks ago, as well as in a final in Berlin last month. Safina has beaten Dementieva in three straight tournaments.

"Today I really played one of my best matches," world number nine Safina said. "Elena, she is really a tough opponent. It's the third tournament in a row that we play each other. I just went on court and was very focused on what I had to do."

On Saturday, Safina will face the qualifier Tanasugarn, who upset eighth- seeded Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko 6-2, 6-4 on Day 6 here.

The 31-year-old Tamarine Tanasugarn is 1-6 in her career finals, with her lone title coming five years ago. Her last appearance in a final was in 2006.

Safina is 1-0 lifetime against Tanasugarn, with the victory coming at Amelia Island four years ago.


(source The Sports Network, photo/VINCENT JANNINK/AFP/Getty Images via yahoo Sports)