After Safina once again flattered to deceive in losing in the Cinci final last night to Jankovic, I started to look closer at her stats this year, especially regarding her final stats. She started the year in the Hopman Cup (indoor hard) made the final, and lost to Cibulkova. (3 sets) The following week in Sydney (hard) she again made the final, and again lost, this time to Dementieva. (3 sets) Up next was the Australian Open (hard) where she struggled through but still made the final, but was basically embarrassed by Serena. (2 sets) Her next 3 tournaments ended with R2, QF, R3, all on hard. The clay season was kinder to her - kind of.

She went to Stuttgart, made the final, guess what, she lost, Kuznetsova winning this time. (2 sets) A week later in Rome we had the same final, this time with Safina finally winning a final in 2009, at the fifth attempt. (2 sets) A week later, more success, a winning final over Woznicaki in Madrid. (2 sets) Then came the French Open, where she was expected by several to do well. Well, she made the final - and lost. Again. In straight sets. Again. To Kuznetsova. Again. (2 sets)

That ended her clay season, and onto grass she went, which she doesnt like at all. A semi in Holland, followed by a Wimbledon semi final spanking (6-0 6-1) by Venus Williams completed her short time on grass.

Back on hard courts now. A tournament in Portoroz saw her reach the final, winning in 3 against Errani. (3 sets) Only R2 in LA, losing to Zheng. Then last week in Cinci, she looked good all week. In form, looking strong. Makes the final against an improving but still far from flying Jankovic who made the final despite being bagalled in the semi final. What happens? Safina plays terribly and loses in straight sets. (2 sets) So in quick stat form, this is what you get.

15 tournaments entered in 2009
9 finals made

3 wins
6 defeats
2 x 2-0
1x 2-1
4x 0-2
2x 1-2

Breaking it down further

4 clay finals

2x 2-0
2x 0-2

Hard courts make for much more interesting reading

5 finals
1 win
4 losses

Scorelines
1x 2-1
1x 1-2
4x 0-2

Once you remove the grass and clay records for her for this year, and concentrate on hard courts, her 24-7 record doesnt look so good. Of the 5 hard court finals, her only win was against World #41 Sara Errani. The other 4 finals were against players in the top 10, except for Cibulkova (Ranked #16. The others are ranked as follows - Serena #2, Dementieva #4, Jankovic #5).

By contrast, her 4 clay finals were all against top 10 players, but she won 2 and lost 2, beating Wozniacki #8, and Kuznetsova #6, and also losing to Kuznetvoa #6 twice. Certainly a case to be made for opposing her against high ranked players on a hard court. As well as a case to be made for not expecting her form to last a week. Especially true in a Grand Slam final!