Sunday, May 3, 2009

Kuznetsova upsets Safina in final

Svetlana Kuznetsova and Dinara Safina
Kuznetsova (left) collected a car as well as the winner's cheque

Svetlana Kuznetsova defeated fellow Russian and newly-crowned world number one Dinara Safina 6-4 6-3 to win the Stuttgart Grand Prix title on Sunday.

The world number nine showed the greater consistency, holding serve throughout as she claimed her first title since New Haven in August 2007.

Safina was in action for the first time this week since becoming number one.

Defeat in Stuttgart was her third in finals so far this year after Sydney and the Australian Open.

Former US Open champion Kuznetsova now has 10 tournament wins to her name, having lost her last six finals.

606: DEBATE

The 23-year-old had struggled through the early rounds in Stuttgart with three-set victories but picked up her game when it mattered, ousting world number three Elena Dementieva in the semi-finals.

She was always in command on Sunday with her aggressive, big-hitting game, and clinched victory with a smash for her first win over Safina in five meetings.

"It's been a while. It's great to be here and win," said Kuznetsova before taking a spin on the court in a white Porsche convertible that she won as first prize.

"It was a bit scary but I will definitely keep it. It's special," she added.

Safina said: "She played very well and I didn't feel very well. But I am still number one. I was a little passive. I let her dominate."

The Stuttgart tournament used to be played on a hard surface, but has become the first indoor event on clay on the WTA circuit.

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