French Open: Sunday 25 May to Sunday 8 June
Coverage: BBC TWO, Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website.
French Open
Final latest:
Ivanovic favourite in Paris final ...
Ivanovic to face Safina in final ...
Live - Jankovic v Ivanovic ...
Ivanovic cruises into last eight ...
Davenport falls in Miami last 16 ...
6-4 1-1
* denotes server
LATEST ACTION (all times BST)
To get involved use 606 or text us your views & comments on 81111. (Not all contributions can be used) By Piers Newbery
SECOND SET:
Ivanovic 1-1 Safina
Ivanovic levels comfortably enough and both players are looking more relaxed now.
Ivanovic 0-1 Safina
Safina holds quickly and efficiently. I probably won't get to write that again today. Her manager, Ion Tiriac, looks marginally more satisfied in the stands. You wouldn't mess with Ion.
1458: This one is definitely not over yet - I've already been Safina'd a couple of times this fortnight so I'm not predicting anything."
Sam Smith on BBCi
FIRST SET:
Ivanovic 6-4 Safina
A forehand error from Ivanovic gives Safina a break-back point, but the Serbian finally looks like she's had enough of this and finds two screaming winners to get herself a set point. She then lines up a third thumping forehand - and sticks it in the net. And does exactly the same on the next point. Ivanovic steels herself to earn a second set point and this time Safina goes long with a backhand. First set to the Serbian after 45 minutes. We could be here a while yet though.
1451: Slobodan Zivojinovic, president of the Serbian Tennis Federation, looks on from the stands. He must be a happy man these days, almost as much as when he partnered Boris Becker in doubles at Wimbledon - 'Bobo' and 'Boom Boom'. Amelie Mauresmo is sitting alongside Mansour Bahrami and, inexplicably, is not in fits of giggles.
Ivanovic 5-4 Safina
And predictably enough, Safina undoes much of her hard work by immediately dropping serve. Ivanovic does up her game a bit and takes it with a backhand down the line but you wouldn't bet your house on her serving this one out.
Ivanovic 4-4 Safina
At 40-0, Ivanovic is cruising but three errors let Safina back in at deuce. Ana's 'support team', dressed in matching outfits, nod in sombre encouragement but their charge sticks another one long and it's break point. Safina takes it with a brilliant backhand winner and she's on a roll.
1441: "Ivanovic is playing with the composure, poise and grace that befits her new #1 ranking, it looks ominous for safina, even already."
From John via text on 81111 (In fairness, probably a few minutes ago when Safina was struggling)
1439: "Ivanovic must keep opening up the court with drop shots, because Safina is very vulnerable to that."
Sam Smith on BBCi
Ivanovic 4-3 Safina
Much more confident stuff now from Safina, who takes a love game that includes thumping winners off both forehand and backhand.
Ivanovic 4-2 Safina
Safina again makes a good start to a game but lets Ivanovic back in. The second seed wins a fine rally with a beautifully angled forehand, a Safina error follows, and Ivanovic then gets lucky with a scrambled drop-shot she didn't mean. Still, Safina gathers herself to come through from deuce and get one of the breaks back.
Ivanovic 4-1 Safina
Ivanovic earns two break points by moving into the net and Safina spits out a few choice words in Russian. Ivanovic repeats the trick on the next point and it's a double-break of serve - the new world number one is looking good.
1427: "I've got a good feeling that Safa is going to get lucky yet again this afternoon."
From Leo in London via text on 81111
Ivanovic 3-1 Safina
A superb backhand winner down the line gets Ivanovic back to 30-30 and she goes on to hold, and a half-chance for Safina slips away. Meanwhile, Amelie Mauresmo sits in the crowd tucking into some sort of confectionery and pondering what might have been. Probably.
Ivanovic 2-1 Safina
A vital hold for Safina, although Ivanovic does peg her back from 40-0 with a couple of scorching forehand winners. The Russian might want to avoid playing to that wing for a bit.
1419: "If marat safin will 'also be so nervous he will not even be able to watch' does this mean safina wont be watching too? It'll be an awfully onesided match if she doesnt at least open her eyes once in a while."
Expert Russian speaker Neil from Manchester via text on 81111
Ivanovic 2-0 Safina
Another good game and we might be in for a decent final - famous last words. Anyway, Safina arrows a backhand into the corner for 15-30 but Ivanovic holds her nerve with some booming forehands to take the game.
1414: "Looking at conditions they're very heavy, potential strong gusts of winds, and they've watered the court so it's playing very slowly - I think that all helps Safina."
Sam Smith on BCi
Ivanovic 1-0 Safina
Safina saves a break point before Ivanovic forces a couple of deuces, much to the delight of the Serbian's 'support team' in the stands. A second chance to break comes when Ivanovic swats a backhand return for a winner and Safina blazes wide with a forehand.
1407: "Ivanovic must win today to validate her number one ranking. To be number one without a slam win would show the ranking as complete nonsense. For the sake of the WTA I hope she does win."
From crongtong on 606
1402: Hold on to your hats, it's the courtside pre-match interviews. "I expect a very tough match and last year's experience is going to help me," says Ivanovic. "I just hope that after the match we can say we did everything," adds Safina.
1400: It's a bright and blustery day in Paris and the great and the good are in attendance. Ion Tiriac and Ilie Nastase are doing their best not to look sinister, while title holder Justine Henin is in the VIP box. Bit odd that.
1356: "Maybe he will make a surprise and come, because I really like when he comes to see me. But he will also be so nervous he will not even be able to watch."
Safina on whether brother Marat will be at the final
1355: "I don't want to forget it, because it was great learning experience. I learned a lot from Justine and the emotions I was feeling going on the court. I feel like a different player coming into this French Open. "
Ivanovic on last year's final disappointment
1347: "I think, and hope, that Ana will win but it's very hard to say. Safina had the two difficult matches before her easy win over Kuznetsova, while Ivanovic had two easy matches before nearly losing to Jankovic. I think it's certainly an 'on the day' scenario we're looking at."
From BulletMonkey on 606
1345: Here we go then, all set for a final that guarantees us a new name on the trophy. Ivanovic made the final last year but was thrashed by the now retired Justine Henin, while Safina is playing in her first Grand Slam final.
The Russian has had an extraordinary run in Paris, saving match points against both Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva along the way. Victory would see her and brother Marat become the first brother and sister to win Grand Slam singles titles.
Ivanovic was tipped by many to win before the tournament started and a first Grand Slam title would come just two days before she is confirmed as the new world number one. She would also be the first Serbian woman to win a Grand Slam singles title.
(BBC)
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