Madrid Open: Safina sweeps past Wozniacki to clinch title

World number one Dinara Safina gave a strong statement to all the doubters of her capability as the top-ranked women’s player by overpowering ninth seed Danish teen Caroline Wozniacki to win the inaugural WTA Mutua MadrileƱa Madrid Open on Sunday.The score: 6-2, 6-4.

On Friday, the Russian defended herself from critics who believe that she doesn’t deserve the number one ranking because she’s never won a Grand Slam (read related article HERE.) However, her performance for the past three weeks could simply be a preview of her triumph in this month’s French Open.

Two weeks ago, she finished runner-up to compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova in Stuttgart but avenged her defeat by defeating the same opponent in last week’s Rome final.

In Sunday’s final, Safina was at her best and never gave the Dane any opportunity to stage a comeback. Despite the loss, Wozniacki is guaranteed to make a debut in the world’s top ten in next week’s rankings.