PARIS, France - It's hard to believe there have only ever been two all-Russian Grand Slam finals, right here at Roland Garros five years ago, when Anastasia Myskina beat Elena Dementieva to lift the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen, and at the US Open, when Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Dementieva. On Thursday, Dinara Safina and Kuznestova will be the favorites to set up another, as they take on Grand Slam semifinal debutantes in their respective matches.
But both Dominika Cibulkova and Samantha Stosur are out to make history, too. Since Nicole Bradtke (née Provis) reached the last four here in 1988, the only Australian to reach a Grand Slam semifinal has been Jelena Dokic (Wimbledon, 2000). And although Daniela Hantuchova reached the semis at the Australian Open in 2008, Slovakia has never had a Grand Slam finalist. On a more personal level, both still seek their first singles title on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.
Chatrier
(1) Dinara Safina (RUS) vs. (20) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK)
Safina leads 2-0
How things change. Two years ago, Cibulkova was at Roland Garros as a qualifier ranked No.131 in the world. Now 20, this pocket dynamo is a potent member of the Top 20, with a clutch of wins over Top 5 players to her name - but has her work cut out today. Safina won both their previous matches handily on hardcourts in 2008, and most of the factors remain stacked in the world No.1's favor: height, weight of shot, and experience of big match occasions. That said, Cibulkova punches well above her 5'3" stature, and as the cliché goes, has nothing to lose. If she does manage to get her nose in front, the trick will be to stay there - except for nerves, she would have beaten Maria Sharapova 60 60 in the quarterfinals, but let the comeback queen retrieve two games at the end. Cibulkova knows mental toughness at these crucial moments is an area she needs to work on, and can't afford to give Safina any measure whatsoever if she is to stand a chance.
(7) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) vs. (30) Samantha Stosur (AUS)
Kuznetsova leads 1-0
On paper, Stosur was supposed to beat world No.41 Sorana Cirstea in the quarterfinals. But given the way the young had Romanian dispatched Jelena Jankovic in the fourth round, many considered her the favorite to beat the Australian. Certainly the match was closer than the 61 63 scoreline suggests, but the fact that 25-year-old Stosur was able to win so comprehensively speaks volume of her athleticism and growing confidence on the singles court - and the potency of her high-bouncing kick serve on clay. Her delivery will need to be relentless if she is to stand a chance against Kuznetsova, though. The Russian, who looks to be in the best physical condition of her career and has been almost as successful as Safina during this claycourt season, is one of the most formidable baseliners around. It is noteworthy she won the mental battle against Serena in their marathon quarterfinal, and assuming she is sufficiently rested, has to be favored to advance to her second French Open final.
More to watch...
She might have lost her doubles semifinal match with Cara Black, but Liezel Huber is also top seed in the mixed event, with fellow American Bob Bryan. In the final, to be played on Chatrier after the singles semifinals, they take on unseeded Vania King and Marcelo Melo.
