Svetlana Kuznetsova won her second career Grand Slam title on Saturday at the 2009 French Open.
Kuznetsova defeated her Russian countrywoman and world number one Dinara Safina in straight sets 6-4, 6-2.
For the past five years, Svetlana Kuznetsova has had the misfortune of losing to the eventual champion or runner-up each season in Paris. But this year at Roland Garros, she was able to take her pursuit one step further and win the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen trophy.
“It’s been so many years since I won a Grand Slam,” a relieved Kuznetsova said afterward. Since winning in Flushing Meadows in 2004, she lost two additional finals at Roland Garros (2006) and the US Open (2007).
It was a lackluster performance by Safina, who had played the best tennis of her career to reach the women’s final. From the start of the match, she appeared nervous, as if the pressure of being expected to win the title was too much to handle. Errors cost her crucial points, and on Kuznetsova’s first championship point, Safina double-faulted.
“Here I am back in the same situation as last year,” a despondent Safina told the crowd post-match. “Hopefully, one day I can win here.”
Today’s final was almost a mirror reflection of 2008 as Safina allowed nerves to control her play before losing to Ana Ivanovic 6-4, 6-3.
By virtue of winning the singles title, Svetlana Kuznetsova is projected to advance to the No. 5 spot on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour rankings. Safina will remain at No. 1 on the rankings.
Brilliant attack by Kuzzy, working the angles, pulling Safina out of position, getting Dinara off balance, changing the pace, holding Safina at the baseline and hitting behind her as Dinara went in the wrong direction. There was power and touch in Svetlana’s game and though she had her moments of nervousness she tamped them down quickly and played with control and focus. Congratulations, Svetlana on you second Grand Slam title!
I think what was so surprising was Kuznetsova’s calm demeanor. She knew what she was doing from the first point of the match and made it seem like just a random day at the office.
Her post-match comments were fairly telling as she said that it took a long time for her to learn how to deal with the pressure, something that Kuznetsova acknowledged Safina would have to learn as well.
There was a terrific moment that occurred, I believe, in the second set which demonstrated just how composed Kuznetsova was. She netted a forehand (losing the point) and the ball bounced back to her. She promptly put on a “soccer” clinic, kicking the ball up from her foot to her ankle to her knee and delighting the crowd momentarily. It was like: “What, me worry? Relax, everybody it’s just a game!” Of course, she was up a set by that time (if memory serves) but she was feeling absolutely no pressure.
I think Sveta knows Dinara so well that it made it easier for her to be the calm one in this final.
She really did a nice job getting through Serena, Stosur (who was so tough), and Safina -and I’m really happy for her. It’s been almost five years since that first Slam, so it’s about time!
What a great tourney! Azarenka and Cibulkova playing well – Sharapova back, and the two finalists pouring their hearts out for us -
for once, i didnt get burned for picking sveta!
Good call, jc!