Russian tennis player Svetlana Kuznetsova won the French Open singles title 6-4, 6-2. She defeated fellow Russian and current World No. 1 Dinara Safina and sent her off the court fighting tears.
This win is the second major title for Kuznetsova. Her first win was at the 2004 US Open against Elena Dementieva. She also finished as the runner in two Grand Slam games.
The game ended in an anti-climactic manner with no emotional outburst from Kuznetsova. She simply turned to make eye contact with her coach and supports. Then she walked to the net for a handshake and kisses on the cheek with her beaten opponent.
“I was calm,” Kuznetsova said later on. “It was similar feeling when I won the U.S. Open. I cannot explain it.” She also said that she “didn’t expect it to happen this year.”
The 74 minute match ended with Safina at a 7 double default. “I was a little bit desperate on the court,” said Safina. I really wanted to win,” she added. “I just didn’t handle it.”
The French Open was supposed to be the break through match for the top ranked player. Safina has been steadily rising in the ranks and has one 20 out of 21 matches. Sixteen of those matches she won in a row – that is until Kuznetsova.
“She was too tight.” Kuznetsova said of her opponent. “She had so much pressure on her. I just played the match. Definitely it was a lot of emotions inside of me, but I control it.”