Tennis: Five most unexpected Grand Slam finals in the Open Era

Anastasia Myskina and Elena Dementieva pose with their trophies after Anastasia beat Elena in the women’s final of the 2004 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France. (Getty Images)

4. Anastasia Myskina (RUS) beat Elena Dementieva (RUS) 6-1, 6-2 French Open 2004

It was a great pity that the all-Russian final – that would see the crowning of the first winner of a Grand Slam – last for less than an hour.

The ninth-seed Elena Dementieva was a bundle of nerves on the day suffering an embarrassing defeat as she served double fault after double fault. The two women were childhood pals and competing in a Grand Slam final together must have been a special personal achievement for them.

Anastasia Myskina did much of the giant killing in the tournament as she led a wave of upsets, beating Venus Williams and 2001 champion Jennifer Capriati en route to the title. This match marked the rise of Russian tennis in many ways.