Kuznetsova’s experience seemed to be dominating Safina’s power in the beginning. While Safina kept on making errors and double faults, Kuznetsova was more accurate and pragmatic. She broke Safina three times, while Dinara managed to break back only twice. All that resulted in Safina’s losing the first set 6-4.

The second set turned even more tenacious. Both were getting a share of the cake until Kuznetsova made another break to take a 4-2 lead.

In the next game Svetlana even let herself entertain the public, playing a brilliant piece of football during the break between her serves. She took this game in style and put Dinara on the verge of defeat.

Safina was fighting desperately on her serve, but again her nerves got her into trouble – she made a double fault on match-point and gave the match to Kuznetsova.

So Kuznetsona claimed it in straight sets – 6-4, 6-2.

The legendary Steffi Graf, who won six French Open titles, presented the trophy as the two Russians pocketed $1.5 mln and 750 thousand respectively. And in the process, confirmed Russia's ladies as being the dominant force in women's tennis.

After the match, the head of the Russian Tennis Federation, Shamil Tarpishchev, noted that both of the players have made their home country proud: