The French Open women's finals will pit 2008 runner-up Dinara Safina against 2006 runner-up Svetlana Kuznetsova in an all-Russian championship battle.

1. While Serena Williams made the inflammatory statement earlier this year that Safina wasn't really the world's top female player, the Russian has certainly proven she's worthy of the ranking with a strong performance at this year French Open.

With the exception of a three-set win over Victoria Azarenka in the quarterfinals, Safina has cruised through every match. From the first through fourth rounds, Safina allowed her opponents to win just five games. The 23-year-old also showed a return to great form in a 6-3, 6-3 semifinal victory over Dominika Cibulkova.

Safina looked a little overwhelmed in the finals of last year's French Open, as she was making her Grand Slam championship game debut. One year after, not only has she assumed control of the No. 1 ranking, but she also has the confidence in her game to earn her first major title victory.

2. With commanding leads in both the quarterfinals and semifinals, Kuznetsova nearly gave away both matches as her unforced errors and nerves increased. But while she has faltered in the past, the Russian came through both times here at Roland Garros. That could give Kuznetsova a huge confidence boost heading into the finals.

Kuznetsova has been consistently strong at the French Open throughout the years. After falling in the first round in her first appearance at the tournament in 2003, Kuznetsova has fallen twice in the fourth round, once in the quarterfinals, once in the semifinals and once in the finals. She can earn her second Grand Slam title on Day 14 if she can withstand Safina's power and her own temperament.

Footwork and court movement will be key for Kuznetsova as she looks to set up her powerful forehand. The Russian has a strong all-around game that previously has helped her win the U.S. Open (in 2004) and make it to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open twice and Wimbledon three times.

3. Safina enjoys an 8-5 head-to-head record against Kuznetsova, including a 6-3, 6-2 semifinal defeat of her fellow Russian in last year's French Open tournament. Safina has won five of their past six meetings.

Still, Kuznetsova is the only player this year to beat Safina in the finals of a tournament this year. Kuznetsova earned a 6-4, 6-3 victory in Stuttgart before Safina returned the favor in the title match in Rome by a 6-3, 6-2 score.

4. While many expected to see the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles teams in the world face off in the finals on Saturday, both were upset in the semis. That means No. 3 Lukas Dlouhy and Leander Paes will take on unseeded Wesley Moodie and Dick Norman for the title on Court Philippe Chatrier following the women's final.

A victory would give doubles specialist Paes his fifth Grand Slam men's doubles title and third at the French Open. He also has four mixed doubles titles, but none have come on Roland Garros' red clay court.

5. After a beautiful stretch of weather in Paris, dark clouds will threaten play on Day 14. There's a 60 percent chance of light rain throughout the day, so players might be sent back to the locker room multiple times during the championship matches.

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