Heartbroken Dinara Safina insisted on Saturday she will learn from suffering a third Grand Slam final defeat.

The Russian top seed slumped to a 6-4, 6-2 French Open loss to compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova to follow straight set losses to Serena Williama in the Australian Open final this year and against Ana Ivanovic at Roland Garros in 2008.

"I put too much pressure on myself because I wanted to win. I just couldn't handle it," said the 23-year-old, who had won 20 of her last 21 matches, all on clay, before Saturday's final.

"I was desperate on the court. I didn't do the things that I had to. I didn't stay tough mentally.

"I feel like I beat myself. I'll have to learn just to play my game and relax."

Safina had already been under pressure to prove that she could back up her world number one spot with a first Grand Slam title, but she was below-par all afternoon on a chilly and damp Court Philippe Chatrier.

Her seventh double fault of the final handed her good friend a second major title and cruelly summed up her abject performance.

It was a desperate end to a tournament which had started so well for Safina.

She dropped just five games in her opening four rounds, but struggled back from a set down to defeat Victoria Azarenka in the quarterfinals.

"I started the tournament really strong but from the quarterfinals and semifinals I slowed down and wasn't as aggressive. I was too passive."

AFP

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