Ironically, the woman who hit the most double faults took home the singles title.

40 - Double faults, the most of any woman in the tournament, hit by Ana Ivanovic along the way to her first major title.

4 - Women who could have left Paris ranked No. 1 in the world.

78 - Combined winners hit by Ana Ivanovic and Dinara Safina in the championship match.

42 - Break points converted by Ana Ivanovic during her two weeks in Paris.

39 - Countries represented in the singles draw.

1,000,000 Euros - Ana Ivanovic’s prize money for winning the singles title.

127 - Women entered into the main draw who had never won the French Open.

125 mph - The fastest serve of the women’s tournament. The serve was hit by Venus Williams.

25 - Aces hit by Svetlana Kuznetsova, the most of any player in the women’s draw.

17 - Double faults hit by then world No. 1 Maria Sharapova in her first round match against Evgeniya Rodina.

4 - Days it took to complete the first round of play.

Second seed Ana Ivanovic defeated thirteenth seed Dinara Safina in straight sets 6-4, 6-3 at Roland Garros.

Saturday produced a nervous performance by both players, but in the end, Ivanovic ultimately conquered her personal demons and won the match on her first championship point.

It also ended the miraculous win streak of Dinara Safina, who has defeated former Grand Slam champions Justine Henin, Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Svetlana Kuznetsova in only one month.

Immediately after her win Ivanovic burst into tears before climbing through the royal box to celebrate the victory with her family and support team. It was a dream come true for Ivanovic, who had previously lost to Henin at Roland Garros in 2007 and Maria Sharapova in January’s Australian Open final.

As the Serbian anthem played, Ivanovic continued to wipe away tears as she became the first Serbian woman to hold the No. 1 ranking and win a major.

Justine Henin, the newly retired four-time French Open champion, presented Ivanovic with the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen. Ironically, the last time Henin and Ivanovic were together on court at the Philippe Chatrier stadium, Henin was receiving the winner’s trophy, while Ivanovic was left waiting for a second chance.

Her golden opportunity came just twelve months later as she dominated for two weeks on the courts of Roland Garros. By virtue of her victory over Jelena Jankovic in the semifinals, she effectively gained enough points to rise to the top spot when the latest Sony Ericsson WTA Tour rankings are released on Monday.

Schedule for Day 14: Saturday, 7 June 2008

CHATRIER 15:00
1. Women’s Singles - Finals
Dinara Safina (RUS)[13] v. Ana Ivanovic (SRB)[2]
2. Men’s Doubles - Finals
Pablo Cuevas (URU) v. Daniel Nestor (CAN)[2]
Luis Horna (PER) Nenad Zimonjic (SRB)[2]

LENGLEN 11:00
1. Legends Under 45 Doubles
Sergi Bruguera (ESP) v. Goran Ivanisevic (CRO)
Pat Cash (AUS) Michael Stich (GER)
2. Legends Under 45 Doubles
Arnaud Boetsch (FRA) v. Mats Wilander (SWE)
Guy Forget (FRA) Todd Woodbridge (AUS)
3. Legends Over 45 Doubles
John Fitzgerald (AUS) v. Victor Pecci (PAR)
Guillermo Vilas (ARG) Raul Ramirez (MEX)

Court 2 12:00
1. Girls’ Doubles - Finals
Polona Hercog (SLO)[8] v. Lesley Kerkhove (NED)[7]
Jessica Moore (AUS)[8] Arantxa Rus (NED)[7]
2. Boys’ Doubles - Finals
Henri Kontinen (FIN) v. Jaan-Frederik Brunken (GER)
Christopher Rungkat (INA) Matt Reid (AUS)

An updated copy of the main draw is available at the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour website.

For more information about Roland Garrros, please visit www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/index.html.

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

For more information about the contest and its prizes or to leave your pick, please go here.

Schedule for Day 13: Friday, 6 June 2008

CHATRIER 13:00
1. Men’s Singles - Semi
Novak Djokovic (SRB)[3] v. Rafael Nadal (ESP)[2]
2. Men’s Singles - Semi
Roger Federer (SUI)[1] v. Gael Monfils (FRA)
3. Women’s Doubles - Finals
A. Medina Garrigues (ESP)[10] v. Casey Dellacqua (AUS)
Virginia Ruano Pascual (ESP)[10] Francesca Schiavone (ITA)

LENGLEN 11:00
1. Legends Over 45 Doubles
Mansour Bahrami (IRI) v. Victor Pecci (PAR)
Henri Leconte (FRA) Raul Ramirez (MEX)
Not Before 12:30
2. Mixed Doubles
Katarina Srebotnik (SLO)[1] v. Victoria Azarenka (BLR)[3]
Nenad Zimonjic (SRB)[1] Bob Bryan (USA)[3]
3. Legends Under 45 Doubles
Boris Becker (GER) v. Sergi Bruguera (ESP)
Cedric Pioline (FRA) Pat Cash (AUS)
4. Legends Over 45 Doubles
Andres Gomez (ECU) v. Ilie Nastase (ROU)
Peter Mcnamara (AUS) Mikael Pernfors (SWE)

Court 1 11:00
1. Girls’ Singles - Semi
Simona Halep (ROU)[9] v. Arantxa Rus (NED)[2]
2. Boys’ Singles - Semi
Tsung-Hua Yang (TPE) v. Cesar Ramirez (MEX)[2]
3. Boys’ Doubles - Semi
Julien Obry (FRA) v. Jaan-Frederik Brunken (GER)
Adrien Puget (FRA) Matt Reid (AUS)
4. Girls’ Doubles - Semi
Jade Curtis (GBR)[6] v. Lesley Kerkhove (NED)[7]
Nikola Hofmanova (AUT)[6] Arantxa Rus (NED)[7]

Court 2 11:00
1. Girls’ Singles - Semi
Elena Bogdan (ROU)[10] v. Lenka Jurikova (SVK)
2. Boys’ Singles - Semi
Guido Pella (ARG) v. Jerzy Janowicz (POL)[12]
3. Boys’ Doubles - Semi
Henri Kontinen (FIN) v. Vasek Pospisil (CAN)
Christopher Rungkat (INA) Milos Raonic (CAN)
4. Girls’ Doubles - Semi
Polona Hercog (SLO)[8] v. Lenka Jurikova (SVK)
Jessica Moore (AUS)[8] Romana Tabakova (SVK)

Court 7 11:00
1. Wheelchair Men’s Singles
Shingo Kunieda (JPN)[1] v. Robin Ammerlaan (NED)[2]
2. Wheelchair Women’s Singles
Esther Vergeer (NED)[1] v. Korie Homan (NED)[2]
3. Wheelchair Men’s Doubles
Robin Ammerlaan (NED)[1] v. Shingo Kunieda (JPN)[2]
Ronald Vink (NED)[1] Maikel Scheffers (NED)[2]
4. Wheelchair Women’s Doubles
Jiske Griffioen (NED)[1] v. Korie Homan (NED)[2]
Esther Vergeer (NED)[1] Sharon Walraven (NED)[2]

An updated copy of the main draw is available at the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour website.

For more information about Roland Garrros, please visit www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/index.html.

Ana Ivanovic, the new incoming Sony Ericsson WTA Tour world number one, will face Safina in Saturday’s final.

Safina, the thirteenth seed, bested her fourth seeded countrywoman in straight sets 6-3, 6-2.

It was a nervy performance by both Russians with five service breaks in the opening set alone.

This time, Safina did not need to mount a big comeback from behind—something she has been forced to do in both of her last matches against Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva.

Thursday’s first semifinal was expected to be a closer battle, but Svetlana Kuznetsova came out sluggish and by the start of the second set, her body language was disheartening. It was a terrible performance by the 2004 US Open champion, closing the door on one of her best opportunities to win a second Grand Slam title.

For the second consecutive year, Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic is in the Roland Garros women’s championship match. Ivanovic reached the singles final in 2007 before losing to a now-retired Justine Henin in straight sets 6-1, 6-2.

Playing with a spot in Saturday’s final—and the Tour’s top spot—on the line, Ivanovic outlasted her older countrywoman Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in the second semifinal of the day in Paris.

Ivanovic appeared in control of the match after the opening set, but lost some of her aggression during the second set. This momentary lapse in concentration allowed Jankovic to force a deciding set and race to a 3-1 lead before Ivanovic stepped up her game.

She broke Jankovic’s serve for the seventh time on her first match point with a blistering forehand return up the line.

Despite the outcome of the final on Saturday, Ivanovic is assured of overtaking Maria Sharapova on Monday’s edition of the Tour rankings. She will become the first Serbian in history to be the No. 1 ranked female player in the world.

Check back at On the Baseline on Friday for a preview of the championship match!

Is it harder to defeat an injured opponent or beat your own nerves? Ana Ivanovic will know the answer in less than 24 hours.

Ivanovic exited the French Open final a nervous wreck in 2007, but she promised that if ever put in that situation again, she would control her nerves better. Ivanovic acquitted herself well in January’s Australian Open final, but it still did not bring her a coveted Grand Slam trophy.

Now standing in her way is a familiar face. Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic’s relationship brings to mind the now-obsolete Justine Henin/Kim Clijsters rivalry, but these two appear to be a bit more cordial. Mind you, they are not best buddies, but at least have managed to put their love for Serbia first and foremost.

That love for being the best in Serbia might get in the way Thursday. Unlike the outgoing world No. 1 who literally said “boo-hoo” to her ranking, both Ivanovic and Jankovic fiercely want the top spot. Unfortunately for both of their nervous systems, they are second on court Thursday, meaning that if Svetlana Kuznetsova should lose, the winner of their match automatically ascends to the top spot.

While nerves could hurt Ivanovic, injuries and fatigue could be the undoing of Jelena Jankovic.

Jelena’s “I love Paris” bandage is cute, but she’s not wearing it for a fashion statement. A Jankovic match is generally never complete without an injury timeout, and already she has battled forearm and shoulder injuries while in Paris. She played without pain on Tuesday, but apparently, the arm injury was originally serious enough for Jankovic to charter a private plane back to Serbia on Sunday to consult with her doctors.

She insists that she will be ready to go on Thursday against her countrywoman and although she’ll stick to her own game plan, she is prepared to attack the Ivanovic serve. Despite losing to Ana five times in their six matches, Jankovic believes this will be a new day for her, especially as they are playing on clay, her best surface.

Okay, so back to my question. What is more dangerous, a nervous opponent or an injured opponent? I’ve always believed a wounded foe could be more dangerous than a healthy (mentally or physically) one, so I’m looking for a battered, bruised, and beaming Jankovic to reach the 2008 French Open final.
Pick: Jelena Jankovic

(4) Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. (13) Dinara Safina

I thought Dinara Safina’s fairy tale run at the Qatar Telecom German Open was inspiring, but the story only grew better once she headed to Paris. In the past four weeks, she has been the player to beat on clay, a woman on a mission to add to her family’s Grand Slam collection.

Marat’s little sister is no longer simply Marat’s little sister. Dinara has come into her own on the Tour and is currently enjoying an 11-match win streak. True, she has the Safin unpredictability in her corner, but that is what has endeared her to fans over the last twelve days in France. She mumbles, fumes, and smashes her racquet, but each time she dropped to her knees after sealing victories in the fourth round and quarterfinals, I found my heart cheering for the underdog.

Her courage and persistence have been on display as she has battled past match points in both of her last two wins. She has been creative on court, mixed up her shots, and completely threw off the rhythm of her opponents in the decisive third sets.

The rigor of playing a pair of long and intense matches might start to take its toll, but I believe Dinara still has some fire left in her tank. Svetlana Kuznetsova has not dropped a set yet at Roland Garros, but she did struggle against Kaia Kanepi on Wednesday.

Svetlana holds the advantage in experience, especially at Grand Slams. But the trouble is, Kuznetsova often acts as if she is not capable of willing herself to a victory. When the chips get down on a big stage, so does the Russian.

She slides like a seal, and her shot-making brings up memories of Henin, but Svetlana, as likable as she is, has often come up short in the heart department—which could be the deciding factor on Thursday.

Is Dinara Safina, the last person to beat Justine Henin, ready to assume her legacy? Of the players remaining, how could I dare pick against her after her last two amazing victories?
Pick: Dinara Safina

For more information about the contest and its prizes or to leave your pick, please go here.

Schedule for Day 12: Thursday, 5 June 2008

CHATRIER 14:00
1. Women’s Singles - Semi
Dinara Safina (RUS)[13] v. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)[4]
2. Women’s Singles - Semi
Jelena Jankovic (SRB)[3] v. Ana Ivanovic (SRB)[2]
3. Mixed Doubles
Katarina Srebotnik (SLO)[1] v. Jie Zheng (CHN)
Nenad Zimonjic (SRB)[1] Mahesh Bhupathi (IND)

LENGLEN 11:00
1. Men’s Doubles - Semi
Pablo Cuevas (URU) v. Bruno Soares (BRA)
Luis Horna (PER) Dusan Vemic (SRB)
2. Legends Over 45 Doubles
Anders Jarryd (SWE) v. Ilie Nastase (ROU)
John Mcenroe (USA) Mikael Pernfors (SWE)
3. Men’s Doubles - Semi
Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) v. Daniel Nestor (CAN)[2]
Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) Nenad Zimonjic (SRB)[2]
4. Mixed Doubles
Victoria Azarenka (BLR)[3] v. Kveta Peschke (CZE)[2]
Bob Bryan (USA)[3] Pavel Vizner (CZE)[2]
5. Legends Under 45 Doubles
Boris Becker (GER) v. Goran Ivanisevic (CRO)
Cedric Pioline (FRA) Michael Stich (GER)

Court 1 12:00
1. Girls’ Singles - Qtr. Finals
Nathalie Mohn (FRA) v. Lenka Jurikova (SVK)
2. Boys’ Doubles - Qtr. Finals
Vasek Pospisil (CAN) v. Axel Michon (FRA)
Milos Raonic (CAN) Guillaume Rufin (FRA)
Not Before 15:30
3. Legends Under 45 Doubles
Richard Krajicek (NED) v. Mats Wilander (SWE)
Emilio Sanchez (ESP) Todd Woodbridge (AUS)

Court 2 11:00
1. Boys’ Singles - Qtr. Finals
Bernard Tomic (AUS)[1] v. Guido Pella (ARG)
2. Boys’ Singles - Qtr. Finals
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL)[14] v. Jerzy Janowicz (POL)[12]
3. Boys’ Doubles - Qtr. Finals
Julien Obry (FRA) v. Guido Pella (ARG)
Adrien Puget (FRA) Juan Vazquez-Valenzuela (ARG)

Court 3 11:00
1. Girls’ Singles - Qtr. Finals
Melanie Oudin (USA)[1] v. Elena Bogdan (ROU)[10]
2. Girls’ Singles - Qtr. Finals
Simona Halep (ROU)[9] v. Ksenia Lykina (RUS)[13]
3. Girls’ Doubles - Qtr. Finals
Jade Curtis (GBR)[6] v. Mallory Burdette (USA)[4]
Nikola Hofmanova (AUT)[6] Melanie Oudin (USA)[4]
4. Girls’ Doubles - Qtr. Finals
Anastassia Grymalska (ITA) v. Lenka Jurikova (SVK)
Sally Peers (AUS) Romana Tabakova (SVK)

Court 6 11:00
1. Boys’ Singles - Qtr. Finals
Evgeny Donskoy (RUS) v. Tsung-Hua Yang (TPE)
2. Boys’ Doubles - Qtr. Finals
Jaan-Frederik Brunken (GER) v. Daniel Evans (GBR)
Matt Reid (AUS) Daniel Smethurst (GBR)
3. Boys’ Doubles - Qtr. Finals
Henri Kontinen (FIN) v. Cheng Peng Hsieh (TPE)
Christopher Rungkat (INA) Tsung-Hua Yang (TPE)
4. Girls’ Doubles - Qtr. Finals
Valeria Savinykh (RUS) v. Polona Hercog (SLO)[8]
Marta Sirotkina (RUS) Jessica Moore (AUS)[8]

Court 7 11:00
1. Wheelchair Men’s Singles
Shingo Kunieda (JPN)[1] v. Ronald Vink (NED)
2. Wheelchair Women’s Singles
Florence Gravellier (FRA) v. Korie Homan (NED)[2]
3. Wheelchair Men’s Doubles
Martin Legner (AUT) v. Shingo Kunieda (JPN)[2]
Stefan Olsson (SWE) Maikel Scheffers (NED)[2]
4. Wheelchair Women’s Doubles
Florence Gravellier (FRA) v. Korie Homan (NED)[2]
Lucy Shuker (GBR) Sharon Walraven (NED)[2]

Court 9 11:00
1. Wheelchair Men’s Singles
Martin Legner (AUT) v. Robin Ammerlaan (NED)[2]
2. Wheelchair Women’s Singles
Esther Vergeer (NED)[1] v. Aniek Van Koot (NED)

Court 17 11:00
1. Girls’ Singles - Qtr. Finals
Polona Hercog (SLO)[6] v. Arantxa Rus (NED)[2]
2. Boys’ Singles - Qtr. Finals
Soong-Jae Cho (KOR) v. Cesar Ramirez (MEX)[2]
3. Girls’ Doubles - Qtr. Finals
Lesley Kerkhove (NED)[7] v. Noppawan Lertcheewakarn (THA)[2]
Arantxa Rus (NED)[7] Jessy Rompies (INA)[2]

An updated copy of the main draw is available at the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour website.

For more information about Roland Garrros, please visit www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/index.html.