Kuznetsova wins San Diego to end drought
Source: Agencies |
August 10, 2010, Tuesday
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UNSEEDED Svetlana Kuznetsova wasted four match points in the second set before winning her first title in 10 months with a 6-4, 6-7 (7), 6-3 win over fourth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland at the San Diego Open in California on Sunday.
Kuznetsova effectively used her booming forehand early, but relied on her nerve after letting leads of 4-0 and 6-3 slip in the second-set tiebreak.
Kuznetsova played tight on all of her four match points, including double-faulting twice, before Radwanska leveled at one set apiece.
It was Kuznetsova's 13th career title, but her first since she defeated Radwanska in straight sets at Beijing in October.
"This just made me stronger," said Kuznetsova. "It didn't kill me, I didn't kill myself in the third set."
Radwanska, ranked No. 10, was playing in her first final since losing to Kuznetsova at Beijing and has not won a title since June 2008 at Eastbourne.
"After a match like this, it's always disappointing when it's a long, very tough match," Radwanska said. "I think it's much easier to lose 6-1, 6-1 and have no chance. But if it's a match like this, it hurts."
Kuznetsova, the two-time grand slam champ, appeared to be on her way to a straight-sets victory when she went ahead 5-3 in the second set. But Radwanska came back to twice hold her service, sandwiched around a service break, to take a 6-5 lead.
Kuznetsova held to force a tiebreaker, then things got interesting. She won the first four points and when Radwanska committed consecutive unforced errors, she reached match point at 6-3.
But Kuznetsova melted down.
"My knees were shaking," she acknowledged.
On three straight match points, Kuznetsova double faulted, netted a forehand, and sprayed a backhand far wide.
Radwanska then double faulted to give Kuznetsova a fourth match point at 7-5. But Kuznetsova double faulted again before Radwanska hit a forehand winner and Kuznetsova hit a forehand volley short of the net to end the set.
"I think I did choke for the very first time in my life," Kuznetsova said. "I never had this choke before. I don't know why it happened. Here I couldn't make a ball."
Kuznetsova effectively used her booming forehand early, but relied on her nerve after letting leads of 4-0 and 6-3 slip in the second-set tiebreak.
Kuznetsova played tight on all of her four match points, including double-faulting twice, before Radwanska leveled at one set apiece.
It was Kuznetsova's 13th career title, but her first since she defeated Radwanska in straight sets at Beijing in October.
"This just made me stronger," said Kuznetsova. "It didn't kill me, I didn't kill myself in the third set."
Radwanska, ranked No. 10, was playing in her first final since losing to Kuznetsova at Beijing and has not won a title since June 2008 at Eastbourne.
"After a match like this, it's always disappointing when it's a long, very tough match," Radwanska said. "I think it's much easier to lose 6-1, 6-1 and have no chance. But if it's a match like this, it hurts."
Kuznetsova, the two-time grand slam champ, appeared to be on her way to a straight-sets victory when she went ahead 5-3 in the second set. But Radwanska came back to twice hold her service, sandwiched around a service break, to take a 6-5 lead.
Kuznetsova held to force a tiebreaker, then things got interesting. She won the first four points and when Radwanska committed consecutive unforced errors, she reached match point at 6-3.
But Kuznetsova melted down.
"My knees were shaking," she acknowledged.
On three straight match points, Kuznetsova double faulted, netted a forehand, and sprayed a backhand far wide.
Radwanska then double faulted to give Kuznetsova a fourth match point at 7-5. But Kuznetsova double faulted again before Radwanska hit a forehand winner and Kuznetsova hit a forehand volley short of the net to end the set.
"I think I did choke for the very first time in my life," Kuznetsova said. "I never had this choke before. I don't know why it happened. Here I couldn't make a ball."
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