June 5th, 2008
Paris, France
The women's final is set at the 2008 Roland Garros and it probably wasn't what most would expect at the beginning of the tournament. Just under two weeks ago, it may have been crazy to even suggest that Dinara Safina would make the Finals here...or at any Grand Slam. Yet here she is in the Finals and having beaten some pretty good players to get there. Ivanovic who will be the World Number 1 for the first time in her career come Monday, is making a repeat of last years Roland Garros Finals appearance and making her 3 Grand Slam Finals appearance overall, and second in a row after reaching the finals in Melbourne.
Safina being in the Finals is a slight surprise given how well Svetlana Kuznetsova had been playing all tournament. However today her game just didn't show up. Safina dictated play and was the aggressor, and played possibly her best match of the tournament. Kuznetsova who had a big shot of winning the whole event just faltered and didn't play her game. It was a sad showing for the World Number 4, but all people have bad days. Safina reaches her first Grand Slam final with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Kuznetsova.
The second Semi-Final was much more impressive and closely fought. Both players wanted to win badly and it showed. Jankovic who lead 3-0 in the first set could have closed it out and with her win in the second, maybe she would of won the match. Unfortunately possibly her nerves got the best of her, or Ivanovic came to play and ended up winning the first set, 6-4. Jankovic would not stand down though and winded up winning the second set, 6-3. The third set we tense between the two and it showed, but Ivanovic who has always been the more mentally tougher player between the two, showed why today with a 6-4 victory in the third.
Ivanovic now has her best chance to win her first Grand Slam in facing Safina. Last year at Roland Garros, Ivanovic lost to Henin and at the Australian Open, she lost to Sharapova. For Safina it is her first final, and nerves may play a factor. Its too difficult to call, but I would lean the edge towards Ivanovic to win the event.
Results:
Court Philippe-Chatrier
(13)Dinara Safina d. (4) Svetlana Kuznetsova - 6-3, 6-2
(2)Ana Ivanovic d. (3)Jelena Jankovic - 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
Top 10 Seeds:
1. Maria Sharapova - Lost in Round of 16 (Safina)
2. Ana Ivanovic - Finals
3. Jelena Jankovic - Lost in Semi-Finals (Ivanovic)
4. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Lost in Semi-Finals (Safina)
5. Serena Williams - Lost in Round 3 (Srebotnik)
6. Anna Chakvetadze - Lost in Round 2 (Kanepi)
7. Elena Dementieva - Lost in Quarter-Finals (Safina)
8. Venus Williams - Lost in Round 3 (Pennetta)
9. Marion Bartoli - Lost in Round 1 (Dellacqua)
10. Patty Schnyder - Lost in Quarter-Finals (Ivanovic)
Other Finalist - (13) Dinara Safina
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