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Nickname(s): Knutsi; Kuzzy; Kuzzybus
Date of birth: June 27, 1985
Place of birth: St Petersburg, Russia
Height: 5'8½"
Weight: 73 kg
Plays: Right; Two-handed backhand
Highest ranking: No.2 (Sept.2007)

Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia won the second Grand Slam title of her career, outplaying compatriot and world No. 1 Dinara Safina 6-4, 6-2 in the French Open final in June 2009. The seventh-seed, 2004 US Open Champion, dictated the points and prevailed after 74 minutes on Centre Court to deny Safina her first Grand Slam title. Kuznetsova's win over Safina was the eighth consecutive straight-set women's final at Roland Garros.

Displaying uncharacteristic calm the 23-year-old scripted a comprehensive win making amends for the 2006 loss to Justine Henin two years after she stunned the world of tennis by winning the US Open as a 19-year-old.

Jitters have often betrayed Kuznetsova down the stretch in big matches, but she swept the final four games with steady play. This time around it was top-ranked Safina who battled her emotions in the all-Russian encounter. She double-faulted seven times, struggled with her movement and appeared near tears towards the end of the match.

Road to Roland Garros

2009   Finals   Won title
2008   Semi-finals   Lost to Dinara Safina
2007   Quarter-finals   Lost to Ana Ivanovic
2006   Finals   Lost to Justine Henin
2005   4th round   Lost to Justine Henin
2004   4th round   Lost to Anastasia Myskina
2003   1st round   Lost to Meghann Shaughnessy

Grand Slam Wins

Singles wins
2009 French Open Opponent: Dinara Safina
2004 US Open Opponent: Elena Dementieva

Runners-up
2006 French Open Lost to Justine Henin
2007 US Open Lost to Justine Henin

Doubles Wins
2005 Australian Open Opponent: Alicia Molik

Runners-up
2003   US Open    with partner Martina Navratilova
2004   Australian Open    with partner Elena Likhovtseva
2004   French Open    with partner Elena Likhovtseva
2004   US Open    with partner Elena Likhovtseva
2005   Wimbledon    with partner Amélie Mauresmo