By Sara
Scott
Tennis Writer
FLUSHING MEADOWS, New York. – Svetlana Kuznetsova
made it three Grand Slams in a row for Russian women this year with a straight
set win over countrywoman Elena Dementieva 6-3, 7-5.
As recently as three months ago, no Russian female had
ever won a Grand Slam. But the floodgates opened after Anastasia Myskina
won the French Open (in another all-Russian finale). Maria Sharapova then
beat Serena to win Wimbledon.
Kuznetsova, 19, had also reached the doubles final
played the night before, with partner Elena Likhovtseva, before going down
6-4, 7-5 against current No. 1 pair Virginia Ruano-Pascual and Paola Suarez.
Dementieva's slow serves, which baffled opponents like Jennifer Capriati
en route to the final, did not fool Kuznetsova.
"I really need to get a better serve to win a Grand Slam,"
said Dementieva, who fell short against Myskina at the French Open final
earlier this year. She had played with her thigh wrapped due to a slight
groin pull.
The Russian advance has caused a shakeup in the rankings.
Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo will take over the top spot from Justine Henin
on Monday when the
new
rankings are released.
Russians now occupy five of the Top Ten slots in the
rankings, and seven of the top 20. This is quite a change from just four
years ago, when the only Russian on the radar was Anna Kournikova, who still
needs to win her first singles title.
|
