Anyone on the tour would be hard pressed to surpass the quality of Svetlana Kuznetsova's performance in today's Stuttgart final. To be fair, the first set featured high quality play from both Kuznetsova and her opponent, Dinara Safina. Serving at 4-5, however, Safina made errors which Kuznetsova easily exploited to take the set. The second set was a Kuznetsova serving and returning clinic, with Safina unable to stop her countrywoman's domination of the court. Kuznetsova won the match, 6-4, 6-3, and hit 29 winners to Safina's 16.
This was Kuznetsova's first title win in over a year and a half. If she can keep this level of play going, she will once again be a major clay court threat.
This win didn't surprise me. I watched but a few minutes of both semis, but after reading that Safina pulled out the win over Pennetta after consulting with her coach, I didn't think she had the mental game to beat Kuznetsova. I was right. Congratulations to Sveta!
ReplyDeleteMel
Posted first comment before I saw the match then later caught just the second set on TV. When she was serving for the match, she may have had butterflies inside, but outside she was composed and all business. Wow! I don't know what's changed but welcome back, Sveta!
ReplyDeleteMel
She said afterward that she was nervous because she has lost so many finals in the past months. But she sure pulled it off. What a display!
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