Safina downs Cibulkova to reach Paris final

By Julien Pretot

PARIS (Reuters) - World number one Dinara Safina moved one step closer to a maiden grand slam title on Thursday as she reached the French Open final with a 6-3 6-3 error-strewn victory over Slovak Dominika Cibulkova.

The Russian, a finalist at Roland Garros last year, set up a showdown with compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova, the only player to have beaten her on clay this season.

Safina struggled to find her range with her forehand against the 20th seed, but proved more efficient on the key points of the match, prevailing in most of the long rallies.

The 23-year-old, who like her brother Marat has a tendency to lose her temper, kept her composure during most of the match barring a couple of minor outbursts.

In a scrappy display she committed 24 unforced errors. However, Cibulkova did not seize her chances and failed to convert seven of her eight break opportunities.

Now only one victory away from her first major title, Safina said she was getting nervous.

"It was not an easy match, I struggled at the start. But it was good enough to win in two sets," said the Russian, who has had a sore throat for two days.

"I was tense because I wanted to win so badly. Instead of dominating from the first point, I waited until (Cibulkova started to) dominate to start playing. I must change that."