French Open - Ivanovic wins first Slam

Eurosport - Sun, 08 Jun 10:58:00 2008

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.

2008 French Open Ana Ivanovic trophy - 0

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.

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Reuters

Comment 35 - 54 of 54

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  1. I admire very much Justin Henin, and for me she is the best ever... but reality is that Ana would won over Justin with this kind of play... she is so confedent and strong now !

    From Igor K, on Sun 8 Jun 9:32PM

  2. ana pa ti si suvo zlato SRBIJE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! svaka cast i samo nastavi tako
    pozz iz bgd-a

    From alleksandra_m011, on Sun 8 Jun 12:28PM

  3. The most beautiful tennis player is also a brilliant tennis player. Congratulations Ana. The semifinal against Jelena was one of the best matches in women's tennis I've seen. Keep it up.

    PS: Somebody get rid of spammers!

    From the_freewheelin, on Sun 8 Jun 8:12AM

  4. The most beautiful tennis player is also a brilliant tennis player. Congratulations Ana. The semifinal against Jelena was one of the best matches in women's tennis I've seen. Keep it up.

    PS: Somebody get rid of spammers!

    From the_freewheelin, on Sun 8 Jun 8:12AM

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    ********************************************** ***

    From Rosa S, on Sun 8 Jun 1:25AM

  6. *******************************************
    I am a beautiful sex woman from USA. Internet is a quite good place to meet friends and even find whatever your need. i am just in the beginning of my career and want to find a rich man, maybe to be my sugar daddy. so i uploaded my hot and even sexy photos on ### http://www.sugarmatchmaker.com ### . under the name Kristen15, maybe you want to check out my photos firstly!!!!!!!

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    From Rosa S, on Sun 8 Jun 1:24AM

  7. *******************************************
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    ********************************************** ***

    From Rosa S, on Sun 8 Jun 1:19AM

  8. Congratulations Ana.You deserve this Grand Slam. And I am sure there is more to come.
    Your game is fantastic.Your desire to win and to be the best, is what will bring you more Grand Slams.
    Once again congratulations from tenis fans in Croatia.

    From kiki, on Sun 8 Jun 12:06AM

  9. I am so sad that Justine is not playing any more :( she was/is the best and there would be no chance for Ivanovic if she was still playing. I hope is some magic to see her play again.

    From tloustik, on Sat 7 Jun 11:06PM

  10. yahoo needs to get rid of these spams

    From max88, on Sat 7 Jun 10:11PM

  11. It just shows the sad state in women's tennis that Ivanovic is the World No.1 and winner of the French Open. So sad.

    From sima30uk, on Sat 7 Jun 9:52PM

  12. Bravo Ana,the Serbs are proud,KOSOVO IS SERBIA

    From ljubomir74, on Sat 7 Jun 8:42PM

  13. I am so happy to see Ana is the champion and she is the new world number one.Before the match I knew that she will win.CONGRATULATIONS Ana.If only I had been there in Paris....

    From harryludmilov, on Sat 7 Jun 8:39PM

  14. Bravo Ana samo tako nastavi

    From muratiznogood, on Sat 7 Jun 8:25PM

  15. IT IS ABOUT TIME FOR A BEAUTYFUL GIRL TO BE CHAMPION.
    I AM FED UP WITH THOSE HYSTWRICAL SCREAMING VERGINES..

    From dorin c, on Sat 7 Jun 8:08PM

  16. Magnificent. Ana become 1st lady on WTA tour, she not shaky any more, not affraid of everything. She's grown up in astonishing player.
    Now, she is 11th first. Wtg Aha.

    From Misha Kupper, on Sat 7 Jun 7:30PM

  17. i love you ana

    From himan, on Sat 7 Jun 6:37PM

  18. bravo ana srbi se ponose tobom!!!!

    From nada l, on Sat 7 Jun 6:31PM

  19. Bravo!!!!!
    ,she is so sexy.she posted a profile on a famous dating club ,called " seekingtall. Com ‘”, seeking boyfriends.of course ,there are full of super models,beauties on that site.you can check it .

    From Sexy Jane, on Sat 7 Jun 6:17PM

  20. Bravo Ana!!!!!!! Super si!!!!

    From nicolealbrecht45, on Sat 7 Jun 6:11PM
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