Russian Dinara Safina stormed into the second round of the China Open on
Monday, the day after big brother Marat Safin won the men's title.
The 18-year-old Safina thrashed local favourite Yan Zi 6-3 6-2 to set up a
showdown with top seed Serena Williams at the inaugural $585,000 tournament in
Beijing.
Former world number one Safin broke a two-year title drought with a 7-6 7-5
victory over compatriot Mikhail Youzhny on Sunday.
Safina, dubbed "Little Red" after her brother became known as "Big Red" for
his booming serve and imposing presence, has won two WTA titles, in Sopot in
2002 and in Palermo last year.
Fellow Russians Maria Sharapova, who beat Williams to win the Wimbledon
title, and U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova are among the top four seeds
who all received first-round byes.
In other matches, Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues beat Japan's Saori Obata
7-5 6-2 while Venezuelan Maria Vento-Kabchi edged past Flavia Pennetta of Italy
7-6 6-4.
Russian Tatiana Panova advanced to face Sharapova when Slovenian Tina Pisnik
retired injured after dropping the first set 6-0.
