By Erik Gudris | Friday, January 20, 2017
Svetlana Kuznetsova fought back to defeat Jelena Jankovic in a momentum shifting, nearly four hour battle in Melbourne.
Photo Credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
Good theatre unfolds in three dramatic acts. So was the case when two veteran WTA stars hit the stage in Melbourne. In this case, Hisense Arena at the Australian Open.
Australian Open: Vandeweghe Edges Bouchard in Three Sets
No. 8 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova and Jelena Jankovic kept fans on the edge of their seats in a three set match that went into extended games with a number of momentum changes. In the end, it was Kuznetsova who outlasted Jankovic to earn her first win over the former World No. 1 in three years.
Kuznetsova, who enjoyed an early lead, had several opportunties to finish off Jankovic much sooner in their third round meeting. But in the end the Russian had to rely on her fitness as a weary Jankovic faded in the final games.
It was the 15th career meeting between the two veterans with fans treated to an entertaining display of “old school” tennis that mixed power, precision, and placement.
Both players came out hitting solid in the opening set. Kuznetsova jumped out to a 5-2 lead only to have her momentum halted by Jankovic who grew concerned about light drizzle hitting the court. Officials ultimately decided to keep the roof open for the rest of the match. Jankovic, currently ranked No. 54, then closed to within a game of Kuznetsova.
Kuznetsova, a two-time major champion, stopped her slide by serving out the set 6-4.
Kuznetsova took advantage of more errors coming off of Jankovic’s racquet in the second set. Kuznetsova, who by now was winning the longer rallies and outhitting Jankovic, cruised out to a 4-1 lead.
Kuznetsova extended her advantage despite Jankovic’s determined efforts to keep herself in the match. Kuznetsova served for the match up 5-4, but that’s when the plot changed.
The Russian threw in a poor game that included striking a double fault down break point. Jankovic got back level for 5-all.
With Jankovic now surging, Kuznetsova couldn’t find her serve when she needed it. She surrrended another service game that handed Jankovic the set 7-5.
Jankovic then started the third set looking firmly in control. With Jankovic striking her favorite down the line backhand with the same precision that took her to No. 1 back in 2008, she extended her run of games. Soon, Jankovic stood at 3-0.
The plot changed again as Kuznetsova refused to go away.
Kuznetsova responded by striking the ball with more authority as she did in the first set. Kuznetsova and Jankovic then traded several service breaks as each tried to wrest control of the match from the other.
Jankovic, now finding herself at 4-all, served a double fault while facing break point. That gave Kuznetsova the chance to serve out the match again up 5-4.
It wasn’t meant to be as Kuznetsova couldn’t close again as she dropped serve. Kuznetsova then called for a medical time out to have a blister treated on her hand.
At 6-all, the set and match crossed over the three hour mark. While many began recalling Kuznetsova’s memorable marathon loss to Francesca Schiavone in Melbourne a few years ago, the Russian’s focus was on the match at hand.
Down the stretch, Kuznetsova looked ready to play for several more hours. Jankovic herself started grimacing and clutching her hip. At 7-all, Kuznetsova dragged a wearly Jankovic across the court that resulted in several break points for the Russian. Jankovic netted a forehand thus giving Kuznetsova a third chance to serve out the match up 8-7.
This time Kuznetsova didn’t waste her opportunity. Kuznetsova jumped out to a 40-0 lead and then sealed victory with a backhand winner.
Kuznetsova celebrated the hard fought 6-4, 5-7, 9-7 win that put her into the fourth round. She will next face fellow Russian and No. 24 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.