Unfortunately Safina is essentially a class above Elena.

The hope had to be that if Elena could start really well and keep it reasonably tight Safina would not play anything like her best as is sometimes the case.

But Elena was not really at her best and did maybe overpress early on and give too many points away, which in a way was understandable with the occasion and the opponent but still a pity.

Not sure how "awesome" Safina really was as described by the commentators but too much speed and power here.  If Safina can stay relaxed and just play her game she may be a danger when it gets to the business end, but she is not exactly renowned for doing that against really top class opponents when it really matters.