Kuznetsova wins 6-4 6-2

Second set: Safina 2 Kuznetsova 6

Kuznetsova outmuscles Safina from the baseline on the opening point to lay good foundations. When Safina nets with a backhand it's match point at 30-40. And the match ends with a double fault from Safina. An awful way to end. The questions about Safina's right to the world number one spot will continue - she remains Slam-less. However, what is not in question is Kuznetsova deserved her victory. She had the better variety in her play and also managed to outhit Safina from the baseline. It's almost four years since her last Grand Slam victory but Kuznetsova is now a Grand Slam champion once again.

Second set: Safina 2 Kuznetsova 5

Big trouble now for Safina. She tries to change things up with a lob but it goes just long. Kuznetsova holds to 30 and is looking pretty cool right now - she played some keepy-uppy football during the game, much to the crowd's delight. She's now just a game from the title. Can she close it out? She's struggled to finish off her last two matches at Roland Garros. We are about to find out.

Second set: Safina 2 Kuznetsova 4

The traditional Mexican wave from the Philippe Chatrier fans holds up play before Safina serves. Perhaps it is playing on Safina's mind as from 15-0 she produces four straight errors. Another double fault starts things off, then a shot into the net is sandwiched by two side. Kuznetsova leads by a set and a break and is closing in on the title.

Second set: Safina 2 Kuznetsova 3

Safina gets to 15-30 but then comes up with two basic errors to let the advantage slip. A forehand winner gives us the second deuce game though. Kuznetsova conjures up one of the shots of the match with a backhand deep into the corner and a netted return allows her to hold.

Second set: Safina 2 Kuznetsova 2

A better service game from Safina this one - despite a fifth double fault. She holds to 15 and the set is all square again.

Second set: Safina 1 Kuznetsova 2

Safina shows the first signs of her family's famous short fuse (her brother is Marat Safin for those who don't know) when she goes long with a forehand, slapping the ball into the net in response. There's a also a rueful look up to her coach - although none of the shouting we saw in her semi-final. At least not yet. Further errors allow Kuznetsova to hold to 30.

Second set: Safina 1 Kuznetsova 1

A beefy forehand - the shot that won Kuznetsova the US Open in 2004 - gets her back to 30-30, but she follows up with two errors from the same wing. Safina gains that much-needed hold. 1-1.

Second set: Safina 0 Kuznetsova 1

Again Kuznetsova is able to control the rallies as she holds to 30. She's been the more impressive so far and deserves her lead. Safina needs to hold now.

First set: Safina 4 Kuznetsova 6

This time Safina goes with the drop shot but Kuznetsova reaches it and makes the perfect reply to make it 0-30. It's then 15-40 and two set points when Kuznetsova runs around to crack an inside-out forehand winner on the return of serve. And she takes the set by out-hitting Safina in the following rally, the top seed eventually unable to get the ball back over the net due to the power and depth from her opponent.

First set: Safina 4 Kuznetsova 5

The forehand lets Kuznetsova down. One is pulled into the tramlines, another finds the net and suddenly it's 0-40. A fourth unforced error in the games sees Safina break back to love. Poor from Kuznetsova there. Will she be made to regret it?

First set: Safina 3 Kuznetsova 5

Safina starts with another double fault - that's one in every game so far - is followed by two poor shots into the net. Three break points for Kuznetsova. Two are saved as Safina hands tough, but on the third a Kuznetsova backhand into the corner stays low and her opponent cannot get it back. That's a break of serve and Kuznetsova will serve for the first set.

First set: Safina 3 Kuznetsova 4

A solid service game from Kuznetsova sees her hold to 15. She manages to dominate the rallies, which more often than not end with Safina sending a ball out of court.

First set: Safina 3 Kuznetsova 3

Another double fault from Safina, her third, is not a good way to start the game and another drop shot from Kuznetsova, who is showing the greater variety so far, makes it 0-30. However, some big hitting from the baseline from Safina gets her out of trouble. 3-3.

First set: Safina 2 Kuznetsova 3

An excellent drop shot puts Kuznetsova 40-15 up, but a double fault and a netted forehand bring it back to deuce. A crunching backhand return winner off a poor second serve brings up break point but Kuznetsova comes to the net to save it with a punchy volley. Two errors from the top seed allow Kuznetsova to hold. She's made the better start here.

First set: Safina 2 Kuznetsova 2

Safina - in a blue top and white skirt as it happens - finds trouble again at 15-30 but a couple of big serves help her hold to 30. All square again.

First set: Safina 1 Kuznetsova 2

That's much better from Kuznetsova. She starts off with a superb backhand down the line and then comes to the net to put away a volley. A Safina error is followed by a fine forehand winner from the outsider. A love hold and eight points in a row for Kuznetsova. She's playing in a black top and pink skirt today all you fashion fans out there.

First set: Safina 1 Kuznetsova 1

Kuznetsova hits straight back as the nervy start continues. Safina loses her serve to love with a poor game, which includes a double fault. We've had some petty poor women's finals at Roland Garros in recent years. Let's hope things improve.

First set: Safina 1 Kuznetsova 0

Safina breaks serve in the opening game of the match to 15. It's a sloppy start from Kuznetsova. A fortunate net cord helps Safina get to 0-40 and although one break point is saved, Kuznetsova dumps a forehand into the net to fall behind.

Pre-match: Welcome to our coverage of the French Open women's singles final with the world's top two claycourters having made it through. Dinara Safina and Svetlana Kuznetsova may not be the best-known players to the wider public, but this was the final many predicted. They were the form horses on the red dirt when the players arrived in Paris and have come through the draw. Having won 20 of her 21 matches on clay this season, Safina, last year's runner-up, starts the favourite. However, Kuznetsova, herself the beaten finalist in 2006, is the one player Safina has lost to in 2009 on the clay. That came in Stuttgart, a defeat she has since avenged in Rome.