On Saturday, current Number One ranked Russian, Dinara Safina, plays fellow Russian and 2004 U.S. Open Champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova in the 2009 French Open Women’s Singles Final.  For Safina, who became Number One for the first time in April, it’s an opportunity to add a Grand Slam title to her resume.  For Kuznetsova, it’s a chance to fulfill her potential by following up her stellar performance at the 2004 U.S. Open with another Grand Slam title.  Safina and Kuznetsova have played each other thirteen times with Safina winning eight times.  However, they have split their eight matches on clay courts including in two finals during the 2009 spring clay court season.  We present our analysis of the players below:

                          Dinara Safina                                    Svetlana Kuznetsova

Form                  Very strong this tournament               Has come through the tight moments

Fitness               Strong, had easy matches                   Several long matches    

Experience         2nd time in French Open final            3 Slam Finals, 1 title

Pressure             Seeking first Slam title                       Been there, not done it again (yet)

Intangible           It’s "show time"                                 Has turned the corner...