Top-seeded Safina opens play at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, California (Ticker)—Dinara Safina has the No. 1 ranking in her sights.
The top-seeded Russian will see her first action at the BNP Paribas Open on Friday when she faces Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova in the second round.
Safina is the only player at this $4.5 million hardcourt event with a chance to unseat Serena Williams atop the WTA rankings.
The 22-year-old, who was thumped by Williams in the Australian Open final in January, will become the new No. 1 if she can reach the final here.
Williams and sister Venus are not competing in this high-profile tournament, continuing their boycott of the event.
The siblings have not played here since 2001, when they alleged that fans verbally abused their father - Richard Williams - after Venus pulled out of a semifinal with her sister due to injury.
Safina has a slightly easier road ahead with Serena and Venus out of the mix, but there is no shortage of contenders.
Among them is sixth-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova, who was runner-up to Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic here last season.
The Russian will begin her quest to return to the final when she meets Polish wild card Urszula Radwanska in second-round action Friday.
Other potential threats to Safina in this half of the draw are No. 4 Vera Zvonareva, eighth-seeded Victoria Azarenka and No. 9 Caroline Wozniacki, all in action today.
First prize is $700,000.