Week #21-22: Kuznetsova wins in Roland Garros, gets 2nd Grand Slam title

Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova finally got the glory in Paris after losing in 2006 final to Justine Henin, and captured her 2nd Grand Slam title (first one was US Open in 2004). The all-Russian final featured the best players in the clay season: WTA #1 Dinara Safina, champion in Rome and Madrid, and Kuznetsova, champion in Sttutgart and the only one who had defeated Safina on clay this year. This was the third Grand Slam final for Safina (lost to Ivanovic in French Open 2008 and to Serena Williams in Australian Open 2009) and she was desperately looking for a Grand Slam title to be considered a real #1. But once again she wasn't able to handle the pressure and, after a perfect tournament sweeping almost all of her opponents, she didn't find the way to overcome a more focused and relaxed Kuznetsova.

The tournament was full of upsets as Kuznetsova, Safina and Serena Williams were the only top-8 seeds to reach the quarterfinals. On the other hand there were nice surprises, as first Grand Slam semifinals for young Slovak Dominika Cibulkova and Australian Samantha Stosur. After 9 months out of the Tour due to her shoulder injury, unseeded Maria Sharapova got an unexpected quarter-finalist place, while Victoria Azarenka confirmed her good progression defeating Ana Ivanovic on her way to the quarters and taking a set from Safina. And also remarkable quarter-finalist place for young Romanian Sorana Cirstea upsetting Alize Cornet, Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic on her way.

In the doubles draw Spanish Vivi Ruano and Anabel Medina successfully defended their title and clearly defeated Victoria Azarenka and Elena Vesnina in the final. This is the 10th Grand Slam title in doubles for Ruano, 6 of them in Roland Garros.

Roland Garros (FRA), Grand Slam, €7,226,040
Singles final: Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) def Dinara Safina (RUS) 6/4 6/2
Doubles final: V.Ruano(ESP)/A.Medina(ESP) def V.Azarenka(BLR)/E.Vesnina(RUS) 6/1 6/1
Mixed doubles final: L.Huber(USA)/B.Bryan(USA) def V.King(USA)/R.Melo(BRA) 5/7 7/6 10/7