Safina comes from behind to beat Sanchez

World number one Dinara Safina took on the unseeded Spaniard Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, who created problems for Safina from the start, mixing her game up with drop-shots and crisp volleys.

Safina double-faulted seven times and after six deuces, Sanchez reached a likely Safina backhand net-cord winner at the net, and pulled off a great recovery with a forehand winner to reach break point before taking the opening set 6-4.

But the 23-year-old Russian then rallied to come from 3-1 down in the second set to level the match. In the third set, Safina saved three break points and reeled off 11 games in a row to close out the match, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0.

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Kuznetsova ends two-year title drought, winning Porsche Gp Stuttgart

In the women's game, Svetlana Kuznetsova has ended a two-year title drought by winning Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart.

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trophyafterhervictoryoftheWTAtennis
tournamentagainstRussia'sDinaraSafinain
Stuttgart,May3,2009.Kuznetsovawonthe
match6-46-3.(Xinhua/ReutersPhoto)

The final was an all-Russian affair, with Kuznetsova facing off against Dinara Safina. Both players held their opening service games. But Safina missed three quick break points in Kuznetsova's second service game. Safina then blasted a backhand into the net to give Kuznetsova the first set 6-4.

Safina threw some powerful and accurate ground-strokes at her opponent, forcing some break points but not being able to convert therm. Kuznetsova was in a more clinical mood as she built up a 4-2 lead.

A forehand smash helped Kuznetsova wrapped up a 6-4, 6-3 victory.

Kuznetsova sweeps Safina to claim Stuttgart title

BERLIN, May 3 (Xinhua) -- World number nine Russian tennis player Svetlana Kuznetsova swept compatriot and world number one Dinara Safina in straight sets to claim the title in Sturttgart on Sunday.

Russia'sSvetlanaKuznetsovareturnsabackhandtoRussia'sDinara
SafinaduringthefinalmatchintheWTAtennistournamentin
Stuttgart,May3,2009.(Xinhua/Reuters)

This is Kuznetsova's first tournament win for two years with victory in the Stuttgart final. In 2004, Kuznetsova, 24, took the title of U.S. Open.

On Sunday, Kuznetsova took 80 minutes to defeat fellow-Russian Safina, who was playing in her first tournament since being installed at the top of the world rankings in April, 6-4 6-3.

Kuznetsova, who beat another Russian -- Olympic champion and second seed Elena Dementieva in the semifinals -- needed only 43 minutes to take the opening set and had a match point at 5-2 in the second set.

Although, Safina saved that, Kuznetsova took the title on her second match point to end a dismal run of losing her last six WTA Tour finals.

"This win means a lot to me," Kuznetsova said. "It's a just reward for all the suffering. It was a difficult last year for me."

"She played very well and I didn't feel very well today," Safina said. "But I am still the No. 1."