Safarova Outduels Ivanovic for French Open Final Berth
Lucie Safarova booked a spot in the first Grand Slam final of her career on Thursday, downing seventh-seeded Ana Ivanovic 7-5, 7-5 to reach the French Open championship.
Safarova trailed big early, as Ivanovic broke in the second game and build a 4-1 advantage. Ivanovic then build a 5-2, and even served for the match up 5-3. From there, though, Safarova turned the tides, winning eight of the next nine games to win the first set and build a 3-1 lead in the second.
Ivanovic did not go quietly, as she broke down 4-5 to even the set at 5-5. However, she was broken right back in the next game to allow Safarova to serve out the match. She outlasted the Serb on a long deuce game to seal the victory and stamp her spot in the final.
“I started a little bit slower in the match and wasn’t swinging as much as I should. I was a little slow on my feet,” Safarova said of her slow start. “Ana was playing well right away and going for her shots, too, but I slowly started getting into the rhythm, into the game. Then right away I took the set, took the momentum.”
This is the furthest Safarova has gone in a Grand Slam, something she says she appreciates much more considering the time she has spent on the tour.
“It’s slowly sinking in and it’s just amazing. The happiness is unreal,” Safarova said. “It’s my 12th year on tour, and to reach this finally, you appreciate it much more, I think.”
She will play world number one Serena Williams in the finals.
