Safina hoping to break her grand slam duck

Russia's Dinara Safina may be the leading women's tennis player in the rankings, but her lack of a grand slam title still lingers over her. A shock early exit from the US Open this month provided critics with further ammunition, but Safina insists her days of choking on the big stage are over. "It's sad what happened at the US Open," the 23-year-old said. "But it happened. I put too much pressure on myself and didn't let myself enjoy it. "I went back home and had five days off completely disconnected from tennis. I just had to step back a little bit. I'll be better next year." Safina said big brother Marat Safin had helped her through her trauma after she crashed out of the US Open to Czech teenager Petra Kvitova in the third round. "I speak with Marat a lot," said Safina, whose number one ranking was also mocked by Serena Williams after the American's Wimbledon triumph in July. "He became number one after winning a grand slam (the 2000 US Open) so it's a little bit different, but he says just enjoy yourself. "We're completely different. He left home when he was young to go to Spain, so maybe he's not used to having a younger sister with him 24 hours a day. "But if I have a problem he's the first person I turn to for help."

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ITN | September 27, 2009

Tags:. .women. .ammunition. .trauma. .triumph. .mocked