Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova denied compatriot and new number one Dinara Safina the chance to win a title as a top-ranked player by winning the Porsche Grand Prix on Sunday. The 9th-ranked player clearly outplayed Safina in two sets (6-4, 6-3).
Kuznetsova lost her last six finals appearances and seemed determined not to let another chance slip away. This is her first WTA title for more than a year and tenth overall.
The Porsche Grand Prix, which is held annually in Stuttgart, Germany, shifted to indoor claycourts this year since it became one of the lucrative warmup events leading to the French Open. Both players have reached the Roland Garros finals in the past.
In Morocco, claycourt specialist Anabel Medina Garrigues won her ninth career title by dispatching Russian Ekaterina Makarova in less than an hour. Makarova, a first-time tour finalist, only won one game (0-6, 1-6).
Medina Garrigues was a finalist in Fez last year, losing to Argentine Gisela Dulko who opted to skip the event in favor of the Porsche Grand Prix.
Both winners won’t have time to relish their wins as they are scheduled to compete in Rome this week.
