Elena Dementieva became the first Russian woman to reach a grand slam singles final in 30 years when she beat Argentina's Paola Suarez 6-0 7-5 in a nervy French Open semi-final on Thursday.
The ninth seed raced through the first set in 27 minutes and held herself together to set up a final against either seventh-seeded American Jennifer Capriati or Anastasia Myskina, the number six seed from Russia.
Suarez, appearing in her first grand slam semi-final, froze in the first set. She won just 15 points, allowing Dementieva, who beat third seed Amelie Mauresmo in the quarter-finals, to dominate.
Dementieva then lost her way and the Argentine served for the second set at 5-4, only to be broken again and Dementieva clinched victory when the Argentine double-faulted for the eighth time.
Olga Morozova, Dementieva's travelling coach, was the last Russian woman to reach a grand slam final, at Wimbledon in 1974. She also reached the final at the French Open the month before, losing both matches to Chris Evert.
Belarussian Natasha Zvereva reached the final of the French Open in 1988, although she was representing the Soviet Union.
{{/usCountry}}Belarussian Natasha Zvereva reached the final of the French Open in 1988, although she was representing the Soviet Union.
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