Svetlana Kuznetsova became the third Russian woman to win a major this year, overpowering countrywoman Elena Dementieva in straight sets in the first all-Russian final at the US Open.
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The 19-year-old Kuznetsova captured her first Grand Slam title, hammering 34 winners and pounding four aces as she won 6-3, 7-5 and collected one million US dollars in prize money.
"I am so happy to win this title," said Kuznetsova, who won despite 34 unforced errors. "When I won I just put my hands in the air. I was so excited. I went into shock."
This has been a breakthrough year for Russian women's tennis, with Russians having won three of the four Grand Slams tournaments. Anastasia Myskina won the French Open and Maria Sharapova captured the Wimbledon title.
This also marked the second all-Russian Grand Slam final in history, following this year's French Open.
"Russian tennis is just too powerful," Kuznetsova said.