Serbia's Ana Ivanovic claimed her first grand slam title on Saturday after easing to victory against Dinara Safina in the final of the French Open.

Ivanovic, runner up at Roland Garros 12 months ago, went one better in 2008 by posting a 6-4 6-3 victory over the 13th-seeded Russian on Philippe Chatrier Court.

The 20-year-old from Belgrade, who will become the world number one, was always in control of the match despite a number of close topsy-turvy games, and received the Suzanne Lenglen Cup from recently retired Justine Henin - her conqueror in the 2007 final.

Ivanovic headed into the encounter as favourite against the tournament surprise package, who had knocked out Maria Sharapova, Elena Dementieva and Svetlana Kuznetsova in her last three matches.

Having lost in the final of this year's Australian Open, Ivanovic was hoping it would be third time lucky in Grand Slam finals and she got off to the perfect start by breaking the 13th seed from Russia in the opening game.

The next three games went with serve, but then Ivanovic stunned the fragile-looking Safina to love by ruthlessly exposing her weaknesses and subsequently surged into a 4-1 lead.

However the 22-year-old bounced back briefly, displaying the same fighting spirit which helped her reach the final to take eight of the next 10 points to force her way back into the set.

But in the next game all Safina's previous hard work counted for nothing when a couple of poor errors helped Ivanovic earn a crucial break point which she converted with a formidable forehand winner down the line.

She then wrapped up the first set after 45 minutes on court, spurning one set point before sealing the opener at the second time of asking as Safina fired long.

Ivanovic was largely in control throughout the second set and despite a few scares never dropped serve while also constantly threatening to break Safina.

The Serbian won the third game on Safina's serve before taking the next to love and although the title was now edging closer, her plucky opponent dug in and showed no signs of giving in - even if nervous errors were often thwarting her own opportunities to break back.

With Ivanovic well in control at 3-1 she would hardly want to rest easy having seen Safina battle from a set and 2-5 to oust both Sharapova and Dementieva in previous rounds.

And so it proved as Ivanovic was forced to battle all the way in the next game. She had to fend off break point as her first service began to misfire, but eventually she moved 4-2 ahead when Safina fired wide on her forehand.

A further thriller awaited in the next game as Safina survived falling 2-5 behind as an Ivanovic backhand down the line was ruled marginally wide on break point, while two double faults by Safina also handed her opponent a second break point, which she failed to take.

Finally Safina held for 3-4, but Ivanovic appeared none the worse for wear in the next game as she held with ease to leave Safina serving to stay in the match.

But she couldn't deliver the goods when it mattered most and after committing more crucial errors, Ivanovic broke to love to seal her straight-sets triumph.