Ivanovic wins first Slam
ByReuters
Published 08/06/2008 at 03:01 GMT
Serbia's Ana Ivanovic claimed her maiden Grand Slam title when she beat Russian 13th seed Dinara Safina 6-4 6-3 in the French Open final.
The 20-year-old second seed became the first woman representing Serbia to win a major title.
Last year's finalist Ivanovic, who will become world number one on Monday, was too powerful for Marat Safin's younger sister, sealing a straightforward victory after one hour 38 minutes.
"This was amazing. I still didn't believe it could happen," Ivanovic said.
"I think we both played a nervous match, we both had lots of chances and I am just happy I kept my composure at the end.
"Last year's final was a great learning experience for me, so I am just so thrilled."
Safina, who was playing her first grand slam final, added: "It was a great experience, I hope I can come back here next year."
With just-retired, four-times champion Justine Henin watching from the stands, the Serbian pushed Safina far behind her baseline and the Russian found herself trailing 4-1 in the opening set.
Safina, however, pulled a break back in the sixth game then held serve to love under threatening skies.
In the eighth game, she rallied from 0-40, winning five points in a row to level the contest but the 20-year-old Serbian went another break up.
After saving a break point with a flat forehand, Ivanovic bagged the set after 45 minutes on her second opportunity when Safina put a backhand long.
Ivanovic won a 26-stroke rally in the third game of the second set, taking the game on Safina's serve. She watched her opponent smash a racket on the red dirt and held serve.
Safina, who came from match point down in her fourth-round and quarter-final matches against compatriots Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva, could not fight back this time, bowing out with a missed forehand.
Follow LIVE coverage of the French Open on British Eurosport and Eurosport.yahoo.com!
British Eurosport is available in the UK on Sky channel 410 and Virgin Media channel 521, Eurosport 2 is on Sky channel 411 and Virgin Media channel 525.
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