Two major storylines have ultimately merged into one as the 2008 Roland Garros women’s final takes place on Saturday.
Ana Ivanovic and Dinara Safina will do battle in Paris for a chance to fulfill their dreams of winning a Grand Slam championship.
Ivanovic has already fulfilled her dream of becoming No. 1, but is still searching for the second test of tennis greatness–a major title. Dinara Safina has become Russia’s answer to the Cinderella fairy tale, and after back-to-back wins over outgoing No. 1 Maria Sharapova, Elena Dementieva, and 2004 US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, one wonders if the clock might not strike midnight until after she adds another major trophy to the Safin family collection.
The All-Serbian and All-Russian semifinal battles were far from impressive, although there were moments of brilliance in both matches. Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic both had their ups and downs, but in the end, it was Ivanovic who stepped up her game on the big points. Her performance in the third set was some of the best tennis I have seen all tournament and started to convince me that this title was hers for the taking.
For Safina to capture her first major title, she’ll need to put the pressure on Ivanovic early. You cannot let the Serbian start believing that she has the match on her own racquet, because once she gains confidence there is no stopping her. She took more than the runner-up trophy home last year, and she is keen to put her nerves behind her early in the match.
“The other day someone asked me, ‘Are you going to forget the final and play a different one,’” said Ivanovic in her post-semifinal press conference. “But I don’t want to forget it, because it was a great learning experience. I learned a lot from Justine and the emotions I was feeling going on the court.”
“So I really hope I can work hard on it and play different this year,” added Ivanovic, who clinched the No. 1 ranking by reaching the final. “Obviously I feel like a different player coming into this French Open. A lot of experience I gained from that final and the final in Australia, so I really hope I can step up this time and make one more step.”
Ivanovic, on the other hand, is facing a player that almost feels invincible. After saving match points against Sharapova in the fourth round and Dementieva in the quarterfinals, Dinara Safina is starting to believe that maybe she is Cinderella. She kept her cool against an erratic Kuznetsova on Thursday, but did struggle on her serve. Part of Safina’s problem was that she has been accustomed to coming from behind so being ahead in a match feels like a new experience.
Safina’s biggest liability is her service game–something Ivanovic could easily exploit with her powerful forehand. Ivanovic possesses one of the best one-handed forehands in women’s tennis and is comfortable going for outright return winners down the line.
The Russian’s game plan has been simple, but effective. She has played her own game and let the results follow. She hopes to approach tomorrow’s final just like any other match—and leave it all out on the court.
“All the pressure is on her,” said Safina about playing Ivanovic. “I’ll be trying to do what I need to do on the court. I’m going to give everything I have. If I’ve got to die on court, I will. There is absolutely no reason to save any of my energy in the final. I’ll be using all of the energy I have.”
This match should be a close one, and after the last three Roland Garros finals that is a welcome thought. No offense to Justine Henin, but her last three victories were textbook, one-sided, and predictable from the moment she set foot on Philippe Chatrier. Not since Jennifer Capriati and Kim Clijsters’ epic battle in 2001 have fans been treated to a thrilling final.
While I don’t expect this match to end 12-10 in the third, it has all the proponents necessary for a fascinating battle between two of the biggest stars of this new generation of professional women’s tennis players.
Prediction: Ana Ivanovic
I agree with your prediction Aaress. After seeing how well Ivanovic defended agaisnt Jankovic and how improved her movement is, I don’t think Safina stands a chance.
But I must admit that I will be rooting for Safina. She doesn’t have anything to lose, and if Ivanovic comes out nervous, then Safina could run away with the match.
I don’t think Safina’s biggest liability is her service game, per se, but the occasional inconsistency in it. In Berlin, she served better than anyone I’d seen serve the entire season. She has brought that serve to some of her French Open matches, or to parts of them. If she brings it tomorrow, her offensive game will be great.
I do think this is going to be a better final than usual. I just wish it were Safina and Henin.
Sharapova and Dementieva lost their focucs, concentration whatever at a vital time in their matches against Safina. Ivanovic did the same against Jankovic and allowed back in for the 3rd set. Ivanovic has had an easy passage compared to Safina, with the exception of her match against young Caro Wozniacki. (no disrespect to Ivanovic or the other players she beat)
If Safina can be aggressive right from the start and maintain it, and her concentration, I think she will win.