Top-ranked Dinara Safina defeats Svetlan Kuznetsova in Rome for 1st title of year

ROME — Top-ranked Dinara Safina won her first title of the year Saturday by defeating fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3, 6-2 in the final of the Italian Open.

Top-ranked Dinara Safina defeats Venus Williams; will face Svetlana Kuznetsova in Rome finals

ROME — Top-ranked Dinara Safina outlasted Venus Williams 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-4 Friday to advance to the finals of the Italian Open, where she will play Svetlana Kuznetsova in an all-Russian match.

Kuznetsova upsets defending champion Jankovic 6-1, 7-6 (3) in Italian Open quarterfinals

ROME — Dinara Safina rallied to beat Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 Thursday and reach the Italian Open semifinals, while two-time defending champion Jelena Jankovic lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Kuznetsova upsets defending champion Jankovic 6-1, 7-6 (3) in Italian Open quarterfinals

ROME — Svetlana Kuznetsova has upset two-time defending champion Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 6-1, 7-6 (3) in the Italian Open quarterfinals.

Ivanovic upset in Italian Open, defending champ Jelena Jankovic advances to quarterfinals

ROME — French Open champion Ana Ivanovic was upset by Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 on Wednesday in the third round of the Italian Open, while defending champion Jelena Jankovic reached the quarterfinals when Kateryna Bondarenko retired.

Serena Williams loses; Safina, Jankovic win in Rome

ROME — A day after insisting she was still the best player in the world despite falling from No. 1 in the rankings, Serena Williams lost to Patty Schnyder in her first match at the Italian Open.

Venus Williams defeats Lucie Safarova in her opening match at Italian Open in Rome

ROME — Venus Williams needed three sets to win her opening match at the Italian Open on Monday, beating Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.