Serbia's Ana Ivanovic claimed her maiden grand slam title when she beat Russian 13th seed Dinara Safina 6-4 6-3 in the French Open final yesterday. The 20-year-old second seed became the first woman representing Serbia to win a major title.

Last year's finalist Ivanovic, who will become world number one tomorrow, was too powerful for Marat Safin's younger sister, sealing a straightforward victory after one hour 38 minutes.

"This was amazing. I still didn't believe it could happen," Ivanovic said in a courtside interview.

"I think we both played a nervous match, we both had lots of chances and I am just happy I kept my composure at the end.

"Last year's final was a great learning experience for me, so I am just so thrilled."

Safina, who was playing her first grand slam final, added: "It was a great experience, I hope I can come back here next year."

With just-retired, four-times champion Justine Henin watching from the stands, the Serbian pushed Safina far behind her baseline and the Russian found herself trailing 4-1 in the opening set.

Safina, however, pulled a break back in the sixth game then held serve to love under threatening skies. In the eighth game, she rallied from 0-40, winning five points in a row to level the contest but the 20-year-old Serbian went another break up.

After saving a break point with a flat forehand, Ivanovic bagged the set after 45 minutes on her second opportunity when Safina put a backhand long.

Ivanovic won a 26-stroke rally in the third game of the second set, taking the game on Safina's serve.

She watched her opponent smash a racket on the red dirt and held serve.

Safina, who came from match point down in her fourth-round and quarter-final matches against compatriots Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva, could not fight back this time, bowing out with a missed forehand.