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Muscovites vie for French Open title

Combo picture of Anastasia Myskina, right, of Russia and her compatriot Elena Dementieva during their women's semifinal matches in the French Open at Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Myskina created tennis history on Thursday, routing Jennifer Capriati 6-2 6-2 in the semis to set up a first all-Russian Grand Slam final. Dementieva had earlier become the first Russian woman in 30 years to reach the final of a Grand Slam singles event by beating Argentine Paola Suarez 6-0 7-5. PHOTO: REUTERS

Childhood friends Anastasia Myskina and Elena Dementieva set up the first ever all-Russian Grand Slam showdown on Thursday by cruising into the French Open final.

Sixth-seeded Myskina destroyed Jennifer Capriati's hopes of a second Roland Garros crown, to add to her 2001 title, with a 61-minute 6-2, 6-2 demolition of the American seventh seed.

Shortly beforehand, fellow Muscovite Dementieva, the ninth seed, won a poor quality, error-strewn semifinal 6-0, 7-5 against Argentinian 14th seed Paola Suarez.

Their wins will guarantee a first ever Russian women's champion in today's final after two previous failed attempts in the 107-year history of the event.

Olga Morozova lost to Chris Evert in 1974 while Natasha Zvereva was humiliated 6-0, 6-0 by Steffi Graf in 1988.

"Elena and I know each other really well. We met at the Spartak club in Moscow when we were six. We had the same coach and played junior and team tennis together," said Myskina who had never got beyond the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam before this tournament.

"We know each other's games really well so I think whoever is the strongest mentally will win."

Myskina's all-court game proved too much for 28-year-old Capriati for whom the stage had been set with her own defeat of Serena Williams in the quarterfinals, and the demise of Venus Williams, Amelie Mauresmo, Lindsay Davenport and Justine Henin-Hardenne.

"Maybe there was too much hype for that match and I couldn't focus on the match today," said Capriati.

"It was just a bad day. She was serving at 80kph and normally I would hit winners off them but it's very hard when you have to generate all the pace.

"Normally, she plays a hard-hitting baseline game but today she tried something different and I was thrown off rhythm."

Dementieva had knocked out French hope Amelie Mauresmo in the quarterfinals and admitted she feared the crowd may have been against her as a result.

"I thought the people would not forgive me for it," said the blonde Russian.

"It wasn't the case but it would still be great to win the final so that the crowd will not be angry over me beating Amelie."

The Russian was also relieved to have her career back on track after failing to live up to expectations after taking an Olympic silver medal as well making the US Open semifinals in 2000.

Defeat for Suarez, best known for her world number one doubles partnership with Virginia Ruano Pascual, also put a dampener on Argentina's efforts which have seen three of their players make the semifinals of the men's singles.

"I'm really angry," said Suarez. "But I was very nervous and I became more nervous every time I failed to win a game."

The 22-year-old Dementieva breezed through the first set in just 27 minutes, breaking serve three times as Suarez's game completely fell apart.

The quality of the match further deteriorated in the second set with the opening six games all going against serve with Dementieva's double fault count quickly shooting up to eight before she held for the first time to lead 4-3.

Thursday's semifinals were the first at a Grand Slam in four years not to feature Justine Henin-Hardenne, Kim Clijsters or the Williams sisters.
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