By Erik Gudris | Friday, May 8, 2015
Svetlana Kuznetsova entered her biggest final in nearly six years after upsetting Madrid Open defending champion Maria Sharapova.
Photo Credit: Mutua Madrid Open
Svetlana Kuznetsova continued her incredible, improbable, and inspiring run at the Mutua Madrid Open by upsetting defending champion and No. 3 seed Maria Sharapova in the semifinals.
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The 29-year-old Russian veteran, despite having played back to back three set matches in less than 24 hours, displayed near vintage form. For her efforts all week, she now finds herself in her first Premier Mandatory final since Beijing in 2009.
"It was very tough match. I was playing good and I was serving good. I was just fighting and enjoying the game," Kuznetsova said right after.
For Sharapova, a less than stellar performance despite trying to impose herself late in the match contributed to her loss.
Kuznetsova, despite her long week, started sharp in the early games of the opening set. By attacking Sharapova's second serve, Kuznetsova secured the first break for a 2-1 lead.
While the 2009 French Open champion committed only five unforced errors in the first set, Sharapova struck too many for her cause. Often frustrated by Kuznetsova's steady defense, the reigning Roland Garros winner would go for too much on her shots sending them well long or wide.
Kuznetsova earned another break of serve and then closed out the set 6-2.
Sharapova tried to mount her comeback early in the second set. Though Sharapova held her first break point of the day at 2-1, Kuznetsova fended it off. Kuznetsova in the next game found herself with a break point of her own. Imposing her will in an extended rally, Kuznetsova drew an error and took the lead 3-2.
The key game came with Kuznetsova ahead 4-2. With Sharapova trying to get something going, she instead found herself in an extended deuce game. Sharapova saved three break points against her, one with a fine drop shot winner, to hold for 4-3.
If Kuznetsova felt any pressure to close out the match, she didn't show it as she stepped up to the line with a place in the final on her racquet at 5-4. Striking an ace followed up by a big serve, Kuznetsova soon held two match points.
One last rally went in favor of Kuznetsova as Sharapova made a final forehand error. With that, Kuznetsova secured the 6-2, 6-4 win.
The unforced errors stats showed Kuznetsova kept things tidy with only 15 while Sharapova committed 26 in total.
This is Kuznetsova's first win over Sharapova since Indian Wells in 2008. Her stellar week also included wins over higher ranked players in Garbine Muguruza, Sam Stosur, and Lucie Safarova. Having now beaten two top ten players this week, including Ekaterina Makarova earlier, Kuznetsova is now set to return to the top 20.
Kuznetsova will await the winner of the semifinal between Serena Williams and Petra Kvitova. But Kuznetsova has no preference who she plays.
"Everybody at this level is so good. I am just happy to be in the final and will prepare for my best."