Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova stunned world number one Dinara Safina 6-4 6-3 to win the Stuttgart Grand Prix on Sunday. Kuznnetsova, the world number nine, was more consistent than fellow Russian Safina, holding her serve throughout to clinch her first tournament of the year on her second matchpoint after an hour and 19 minutes.
The former US Open champion had struggled with three-set victories in earlier rounds but picked up her game when it really mattered, ousting world number three Elena Dementieva in the last four, and then Safina.
Safina, who topped the rankings on April 20 for the first time, lost her third final this year after falling at the last hurdle in Sydney and the Australian Open.