Marat's tip to Kuznetsova ruins Safina's day

By Julien Pretot

PARIS (Reuters) - Marat Safin ruined several of his own matches letting his temper get the better of him and he might also have dashed his sister Dinara's French Open hopes by giving good advice to Svetlana Kuznetsova.

World number one Dinara Safina lost Saturday's final 6-4 6-2 to fellow Russian Kuznetsova, who approached Safin last year when she was going through rough times before Roland Garros.

"I said, 'Marat, I don't know, maybe I should not play,'" Kuznetsova explained after winning the title on Saturday.

"He said, 'OK, are you crazy or what? You have unbelievable opportunities. You just have to play.'"

Kuznetsova eventually left her training base in Spain to move back to her homeland under the guidance of former player Olga Morozova, and then with Fed Cup coach Larisa Savchenko.

Wearing a white, sequined blazer after the final, Kuznetsova said: "I have been through very tough times, especially before last year's French Open.

"I said a few times I want to quit playing tennis. I said it. I never felt it."

After speaking to Roger Federer at the Beijing Olympics, Kuznetsova decided to pack for Russia.