法網女單決賽賽前分析(法網官方分析板)(英文) - 網球 Tennis

BACKGROUND (背景分析)

Ivanovic
Ana Ivanovic has already played in two Grand Slam finals (Roland Garros 2007
and the Australian Open 2008), both without success. She dreams of starting
her collection of major tournament trophies, and it would be the perfect way
to honour her future number one ranking, which she will hold as of Monday.
Due to her experience, she just sneaks in as favourite over Safina, even if
she is the younger of the two.

Safina
Dinara Safina is the unexpected finalist. The No14 seed came back from
nowhere not once, but twice - against Maria Sharapova in the fourth round and
against Elena Dementieva in the quarters. Both times she was losing by one
set and 5-2, and saved a match point. So here is Marat’s little sister in
her very first Grand Slam final, and history could be in the making – they
could become the first ever brother and sister to both take a major singles
title in the Open era.

CURRENT FORM (目前情況)

Ivanovic
Due to some minor injuries, Ivanovic did not excel on clay before Roland
Garros. But she has been impressive in Paris, at least until her semi-final
against Jelena Jankovic. In that match, with a place in the final at stake,
Ivanovic lost her focus but managed to get back in the match and swept
through the last three games, hitting a medley of winning shots. In addition,
physically, everything seems to be fine.

Safina
As is to be expected after such a chaotic run up, Safina comes to the final
in less than top condition. But her confidence is sky-high, as she showed in
the quarter-finals. Her straightforward victory over Svetlana Kuznetsova
allowed her to save some energy, and as she stresses, her success is down to
the progress she has made physically.

STRENGTH (優勢)

Ivanovic
Ivanovic’s forehand is one of the best on the tour, and it is on this
weapon that she bases her game. Inside-out or cross-court, she can attack
from all positions. With a solid two-handed backhand and a powerful first
serve which wins her easy points, the Serb has more than a few tricks up her
sleeve. Her footwork is effective on clay and her determination is
awe-inspiring. She has also worked hard on her tactics. In the last fortnight
she has unleashed some devastating drop-shots. Volleying is her only real
weakness.

Safina
Thanks to her impeccable physical form, Safina can hold her own against the
very best from the baseline. She can hit balls with devastating acceleration,
even when being pushed back. Her most solid shot is without a doubt her
cracking two-handed backhand. But her strong point at this tournament is her
mental toughness – she was able to raise her game and become aggressive
even when she found herself on the brink of defeat. And after the two
“miracles” she has performed, she comes to the final incredibly pumped-up.

TACTICS (戰術應用)

Ivanovic
In her first two Grand Slam finals, especially the one against Justine Henin
here last year, Ivanovic found the pressure too great and was overwhelmed by
the situation. Now, though, she has matured and is ready to assume the status
of favourite which is undoubtedly hers; her forehand is far superior to Safina
’s, as is her serve.

Safina
The Russian may not have as many weapons as her opponent, but she must be
feeling invincible. And in a big final, the mindset plays an important role.
A match can turn on how a player handles the important points. Marat’s
little sister has fiery temper and a tendency to self-destruct. Each women’s
final for the past six years has been one-sided, so the beginning of the
match will be crucial.

HEAD-TO-HEAD (對戰記錄)

Ivanovic
Ivanovic leads two to one. She beat Safina at Montreal and Wimbledon in
2006, but her victory on the London grass was a hard-fought 3-6 7-6 6-1.

Safina
Safina took the first ever match played between the two young women, in
Berlin in 2005 (6-1 6-4). It was three long years ago, but it was on clay…

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