Dinara Safina barely avoids becoming 1st top-seeded woman to lose in 1st round at US Open

Top-seeded Safina avoids major upset at US Open

NEW YORK — Dinara Safina has barely avoided becoming the first No. 1-seeded woman to lose in the first round at the U.S. Open.

Safina overcame 11 double-faults and 48 unforced errors to come back and beat 167th-ranked Olivia Rogowska of Australia 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 Tuesday in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Safina, the younger sister of two-time major champion Marat Safin, moved up to No. 1 in the rankings in April — and is assured of staying there no matter what happens at Flushing Meadows.

The Russian reached the finals at the Australian Open and French Open this year, losing both.

Rogowska is 18, received a wild-card invitation into the U.S. Open and has won one Grand Slam match. She never has defeated anyone ranked better than 47th.