French Open

A composed and focused Svetlana Kuznetsova added a well deserved 2009 French Open title and the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen to her 2004 U.S. Open title. The fierce 23-year old parlayed a powerful forehand with a devastating backhand to capture her second Grand Slam and leave the forlorn top seed Muscovite, Dinara Safina, grasping for straws.

In a battle of familiar Russian stars, Kuznetsova executed her game plan to perfection. In a post-match interview, Svetlana mentioned that Dinara put too much pressure on herself, wanted the title too much and tried to slug her way through her nervous moments. The Champion capitalized on Dinara’s self-inflicted nerves by refusing to lose needless points and making the wayward Dinara hit outright winners.

Kuznetsova played patiently until the time was right and then time after time released devastating winners. Both players served tentatively. Safina’s first serve was consistently in the 80’s while Svetlana Kuznetsova rarely topped 88 mph. The softly served match made for great returns and played to Kuznetsova’s favor.

Kuznetsova is no stranger to the winner’s circle. Since her 2004 U.S. Open championship, she has quietly gone about her career with the solid determination she displayed in the finals. The St. Petersburg native has amassed more than $10 million in earnings, $3 million more than Safina.

Svetlana arrived at the court with a plan and the calm resolve to execute her plan. She pounded backhands down the lines and moved the lanky Safina across the court with powerful forehands. Safina was often lunging for retrieves and hitting off the wrong foot.

Safina’s double fault at match point typified her second consecutive nervous Grand Slam final performance. The hard-working Russian had high hopes to rebound from a dismal final match in Melbourne and to prove her number one ranking. The final double fault was her seventh of the match while Svetlana double faulted just once.

The Champion also managed to convert on 5 of 7 break-point opportunities. Svetlana enjoyed a distinct advantage in first serve efficiency. Averaging just under 90 mph, Svetlana was successful with 78% of her first serves. The Champion was clearly determined not to beat herself. Her first serve accuracy and proficient groundstrokes seemed to add even more pressure on Dinara, who lacked the patient ability to play through points.

When the top seed gambled, the winner responded by chasing down every salvo and returning with piercing accuracy. When Dinara tried to outlast the Champion, the gritty winner simply refused to make errors. The finals seemed a re-written script for the 6 foot 2 repeat French Open runner-up.

In the second set, at 2-4 and down 15-love Safina screamed out, “Why am I such a chicken?” as another tentative forehand fell into the net. What has become characteristic of the world’s number one is that she wants a Grand Slam title so badly that she plays not to lose rather than playing to win. In all earlier matches, Safina played confidently, as though she expected to win.

Dinara could not intimidate her long-time friend and opponent. On this day in Paris, Svetlana Kuznetsova was clearly the better player and a deserving champion.

The former Russian junior rivals are just 10 months apart and have competed against each other for many years. In post-match ceremonies, it was clear there was mutual respect.

The gracious winner’s march to the title was not easy. She defeated the second seeded and most dominant Grand Slam women’s competitor, Serena Williams, in the quarterfinals. Svetlana then outplayed the very game Australian Samantha Stosur in a tough three set semifinal. It may well have been the pressure in those matches that gave her the confidence to win in the finals.

Kuznetsova rallied in both of her previous matches. She was down a break in the final set to Williams and lost the momentum to Stosur before surging to victory. Against Safina, Kuznetsova was in charge from the outset. Both players broke twice in the first set before the Champion held to go up 5-4.

With the set on the line, Safina could not find the serve that had helped her reach the finals. At 15-40, she lost to a heart-stopping backhand down the line to lose the set 6-4. The French fans wanted more but instead were forced to uncomfortably watch Safina unravel.

Kuznetsova will now prepare for Wimbledon and has added another notch to her resume. It should be remembered that in Melbourne, Svetlana was dominating Serena before an extended break resulting from the unusual in-match decision to close the roof. The delay seemed to unnerve the Russian bomber.

Kuznetsova will jump up in the rankings and deserves much respect for her Grand Slam presence. To upset the 2009 French Open Champion, players will need to counter her steady, heady play. The stocky Russian has the physique and talent to last through the draining two-week Grand Slam events. Congratulations to the very deserving and impressive 2009 Roland Garros Women’s Champion!

See you at Wimbledon!