Top-ranked Safina beats de Los Rios in straight sets to reach 3rd round at Wimbledon

Safina reaches 3rd round at Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON, England — Top-ranked Dinara Safina is a step closer to her first Grand Slam title after beating Rossana de Los Rios of Paraguay 6-3, 7-5 in the second round at Wimbledon.

The 23-year-old Russian never faced a break point Thursday and took the first set with a hard forehand down the line. She wrapped up the match with a cross-court backhand.

Safina lost in the final of the Australian Open and French Open this year, but has never been past the third round at Wimbledon.