By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, October 24, 2016
Svetlana Kuznetsova saved match point then won the final three games edging Agnieszka Radwanska, 7-5, 1-6, 7-5, in her WTA Finals opener.
Photo credit: Zimbio
The last woman to arrive in Singapore was in no mood for early exits today.
In a spirited match, Svetlana Kuznetsova showed resilience and resourcefulness saving a match point in the final set to subdue Agnieszka Radwanska, 7-5 ,1-6, 7-5, in her WTA Finals opener.
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Kuznetsova's long journey to the WTA Finals took another winding turn today as she raised her three-set record to 21-8 on the season.
The 31-year-old Russian clinched the final Singapore spot on Saturday afternoon successfully defending her Kremlin Cup title in Moscow before embarking on an 11-hour plane ride to Singapore.
With little practice time on the slow hard court, a creative Kuznetsova improvised. She chopped off the bottom of her braid during one changeover, trimmed Radwanska's break lead and snipped a match point at 4-5 in the decider.
A stubborn Kuznetsova simply refused to lose beating Radwanska for the ninth time in their last 10 meetings.
"At some point I was just like ready to go and lay on the court and let them take me out of here," Kuznetsova told Andrew Krasny afterward. "I was just trying to stay in there and hang in there.
"Just playing every point (was key). I was just trying to hang in there. Things were not working for me perfectly, but it's my first time on center court, first time in Singapore. I'm happy to be here."
These two have a history and it's been a horror show for Radwanska. Kuznetsova carried a 12-4 career edge into this White Group opener, including fighting off match point to post a 1-6, 7-6 (9), 6-4 comeback victory over Radwanska in the Wuhan quarterfinals last month.
The 2012 Wimbledon finalist applied her precision, assertive court position and guile in carving up Kuznetsova at the start.
Stepping inside the baseline to attack behind her forehand, Radwanska coaxed successive errors breaking for 3-1. The third-ranked Pole stamped a love hold to stretch her lead to 4-1 after just 15 minutes.
After a coaching consultation from Carlos Martinez, Kuznetsova began hitting heavier and creating sharper angles. She bolted a backhand crosscourt breaking back for 3-4.
Thumping her backhand with more authority, Kuznetsova cranked a backhand winner down the line for break point. Radwanska continued to target her opponent's two-hander and paid the price as Kuznetsova lifted a two-handed backhand pass crosscourt breaking for 6-5.
Serving for the set, Kuznetsova staved off break point then missed forehands on her first two set points. Firing her first ace for a third set point, Kuznetsova snatched the set when Radwanska pasted a forehand return into net.
From 1-4 down, Kuznetsova won six of the last seven games surging past the world No. 3.
Lofting a lob over the Russian's backhand, Radwanska moved in for a slick forehand volley winner breaking for a 2-0 second-set lead. The traded breaks as Radwanska extended the lead to 3-1.
Just as she did in the opening set, Radwanska built a 4-1 lead. This time, she didn't let it slip. Radwanska broke again for 5-1.
A backhand drop shot gave Radwanska her fourth set point; she forced the final set when Kuznetsova's lob missed the mark.
A bathroom break preceded the start of the decider. Radwanska kept up the pressure exploiting a double fault and error to break in the opening game. Radwanska withstood the longest game of the match to consolidate.
After quelling a Radwanska threat to hold for 1-2, Kuznetsova spent the ensuing changeover chopping off a chunk of her braid. Then she cut into the Pole's lead breaking back for 2-all.
A time violation warning in the next game did little to improve Kuznetsova's mood. Radwanska swooped forward knocking off a forehand swing volley for the break and a 3-2 advantage.
The problem Radwanska faces against Kuznetsova is finding the finishing shot: The slender Pole lacks the power to close after opening the court. She netted a drop shot attempt to fall into a triple break point hole in the eighth game.
Though Radwanska fought off four break points, she couldn't shake off her nemesis. On her fifth break point, Kuznetsova poked a backhand winner down the line breaking back for 4-all.
A weary Kuznetsova skipped her fourth double fault to face a break point. On the defensive for much of the ensuing point, Radwanska worked her way back to neutral then rapped a backhand winner down the line.
Serving for the match, Radwanska picked away at the Russian's backhand. Kuznetsova's third backhand error of the game gave Radwanska match point, but she stiff-armed a tight backhand into net then netted a nervous forehand to face break point.
Sliding her fifth ace out wide, Radwanska saved it. Attacking a second serve, Kuznetsova knifed a backhand volley winner for a second break point then broke back for 5-all on a Radwanska error.
Slashing an inside-out forehand winner Kuznetsova gained her first match point. She stopped play in the midst of a rally to challenge a Radwanska shot, but replay showed the ball landed on the back edge of the baseline.
A net cord handcuffed Radwanska who could not control her volley and faced a second match point. Radwanska attacked again drawing a netted pass.
Radwanska sprayed a forehand wide to face a third match point. When Radwanska put a forehand into net, Kuznetsova completed a grueling two hour, 48 minute victory. Kuznetsova raised her record to 44-20 on the season while dealing her nemesis another gut-wrenching defeat.