PARIS, France – Lucie Safarova rebounded from a slow start and held off an inspired fightback from Ana Ivanovic in the second set to reach the first Grand Slam final of her career at the French Open.
Ivanovic, who went all the way to the title here in 2008, came out stronger, her huge forehand in full flow as she stormed out to a 3-0 lead in the first set, and she kept her nose in front – 4-1, even 5-2.
But a mid-match surge from Safarova, winning eight of the next nine games, put her ahead a set and a break, 7-5, 3-1, and a few games later she found herself serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set.
It was a pivotal game – she had a match point, double faulting, and she fought off three break points, but with a backhand that clipped the tape and sailed wide, Ivanovic had the break back for 5-all.
But there was one last swing as the No.13-seeded Safarova broke then held to close out the No.7-seeded Ivanovic after an hour and 52 minutes, 7-5, 7-5, rifling one last forehand winner on match point.
Lucie Safarova se recupero de un comienzo lento y en inspirado partido supero a Ana Ivanovic para avanzar a su primera final en un torneo de los grandes, el abierto Frances…
Ivanovic, que hacia todo lo posible por repetir un titulo que habia logrado alli en el 2008, se vio fuerte y alcanzo a tomar el liderato 3-0 en el primer set, e incluso 5-2 pero desde ahi surgió Safarova, gananado los siguientes 8 games y terminar imponiendose 7-5…en el segundo mas de los mismo, juego cerrado que se definido con el mismo marcador, despues de 57 minutos Safaro avanza a la final del Rolland Garros con parciales de 7-5 y 7-5….