The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Paris

Svetlana Kuznetsova conquered her nerves and beat a shaky Dinara Safina 6-4, 6-2 Saturday to win the French Open.

Showing uncharacteristic calm, Kuznetsova earned her second Grand Slam title. Jitters have often betrayed Kuznetsova down the stretch in big matches, but she swept the final four games with steady play.

Instead it was the top-ranked Safina who battled her emotions in the all-Russian matchup. She double-faulted seven times, struggled with her movement and appeared near tears late in the match.

Four-time French Open champion Justine Henin and others have criticized Safina's ranking. She climbed to No. 1 in April and will remain there through at least late July, but she's now 0-3 in Grand Slam finals.

Safina was runner-up at Roland Garros last year to Ana Ivanovic. On Sunday, Roger Federer will play in his fourth consecutive Roland Garros final, with one big difference this year: He's facing Robin Soderling, not Rafael Nadal. Federer will bid for his 14th

major title to match Pete Sampras' record, and he'll try to become the sixth man to win all four Grand Slam titles.

Soderling will play in his first major final after upsetting four-time defending champion Nadal in the fourth round.

Kuznetsova won with a more varied game, mixing the angle and pace of her groundstrokes as she scooted across the clay. Cool, damp weather made for slower conditions that lessened the impact of Safina's booming shots.

Safina double-faulted for the final time on championship point, then slammed her racket to the court.