Kuznetsova holds firm to deny Wozniacki
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Xinhua, January 21, 2013
 |
|
Svetlana Kuznetsova returns ball to Caroline Wozniacki in the fourth round of women's singles match at Australian Open on Jan. 21, 2013. |
Two-time Grand Slam winner Svetlana Kuznetsova outlasted former world No.1 Danish Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 here on Monday to reach the quarterfinals at the Australian Open.
The unseeded Russian, the lowest ranked player left in the tournament, showed she was free of the leg injury that ruined her 2012 season.
The former US and French Open winner started strongly against Wozniacki, sealing an early service break in the first set and taking it 6-2 in 43 minutes.
Wozniacki was quick to respond, levelling the scores before the pair fought to 5-5 in the deciding set.
The Russian dominated the 12th game and wasted no time in clinching the victory after running up two match points against Wozniacki.
Kuznetsova had lost to Wozniacki four times in succession before her return from injury this year, but beat the former world No.1 for the first time since 2009 in the recent Sydney International.
Wozniacki reached the semifinal in Melbourne in 2011 and made it to the quarters last year, but was unable to equal her accomplishments from the previous two years.
Kuznetsova is going to meet defending champion Victoria Azarenka in the quarterfinals.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)