Ivanovic eager to take on Safina

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-7  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

ANA Ivanovic will have to deal with the added pressure of being the favorite if she is to lift her first grand slam title in the French Open final against Russian survivor Dinara Safina today.

The second seed, last year's runner-up, is assured of the world No. 1 ranking whatever happens against the 13th-seeded Safina, who knocked out previous incumbent Maria Sharapova in the fourth round.

For the first time in three grand slam final appearances, Ivanovic will be expected to win.

"The other day someone asked me, 'Are you going to forget the (last year's) final and play a different one? No, because it was a great learning experience," said Ivanovic, who lost 1-6, 2-6 to Justine Henin in the 2007 final.

"I learned a lot from Justine and the emotions I was feeling going on the court. So I really hope I can work hard on it and play different this year.

"Obviously I feel like a different player coming into this French Open. A lot of experience I gain from that final and the final in Australia, so I really hope I can step up this time and make one more step."

She suffered heavy defeats to Henin and to Sharapova in the Australian Open final in January, but against the world No. 14, she is the undoubtedly the favorite.

However, Safina is a tough nut to crack, as Sharapova, Elena Dementieva and Svetlana Kuznetsova can vouch.

Marat Safin's younger sister, who admits she still cries when she watches her brother's 2005 Australian Open semifinal victory over Roger Federer, twice came back from match point down to advance.

Against Sharapova and Dementieva, she was a set and 2-5 down before staving off a match point on her serve, rallying back and rolling over her compatriots. Kuznetsova was helpless in the semifinal, losing 3-6, 2-6.

Safina, nicknamed 'Marata' because of her tendency to lose her temper like her brother, is ready to give her all to clinch her first slam title.

"If I have to die, I will have to die on the court, because there is no more point in saving energy for nothing, so I have to give all my energy," she said.

Safina, who won the German Open last month, is 1-2 down against Ivanovic.