Kuznetsova wins French Open as Safina denied

World number one Dinara Safina’s wait for her first grand slam title continues, after she was beaten in straight sets by compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final of the French Open at Roland Garros. Safina, who has reached the top of the world rankings despite not having a major title to her name, looked completely out-of-sorts against her fellow-Russian, who secured a comfortable 6-4 6-2 victory in just over an hour. The defeat was a crushing blow to Safina, who has long had to contend with the accusations that she is not a worthy world number one, and this third grand slam final defeat will do nothing to silence the doubters

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Clues emerge in search for plane wreckage

The search for the wreckage of an Air France plane that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean with 228 on board intensified Thursday after clues appeared to rule out a mid-air fire or explosion. As several ships trawled the crash site in the Atlantic, Brazil’s defense minister said a 20-kilometer (12-mile) oil slick near where the plane went down on Monday indicated it probably did not break up until it hit the water.

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American couple on Flight 447 loved life, relatives say

Anne and Michael Harris were an "extraordinary" couple with a zest for life, their niece said. “We truly hope that they are remembered for the way they lived their lives and not this tragic end,” Charlstie Laytin said in a telephone interview Wednesday. “We’re all just devastated and going to miss them both so much.” The Harrises were two of three Americans on board Air France Flight 447 when it crashed Monday

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Former royal, Riverdance star among plane’s missing

The disappearance of an Air France flight from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Paris, France, remains a mystery, but those involved in the search said it is likely that the plane’s 216 passengers and 12 crew members are dead. Among those on board were a member of Brazil’s former royal family, a one-time performer with the Riverdance troupe, a Rio city official, executives from major international companies and an 11-year-old British schoolboy. Pedro Luis de Orleans e Braganca, 26, was a descendant of the family that ruled Brazil until 1889, a branch of the former Portuguese royal family.

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Federer survives five-set ordeal in Paris

Roger Federer had to come from two sets down to avoid joining top seed Rafael Nadal on the French Open sidelines as he saw off Germany’s Tommy Haas 6-7 5-7 6-4 6-0 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals on Monday. With Nadal sensationally losing to Robin Soderling and with Novak Djokovic going out in the third round, the draw has opened up for second seed Federer as he bids to complete a set of grand slam titles. The French Open is the only slam to evade the Swiss star, with Nadal usually barring his path, but Haas came close to spoiling the party before Federer took command.

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