By Erik Gudris | Saturday, August 4, 2018
Svetlana Kuznetsova dominated Andrea Petkovic to find herself back in the Washington, D.C. final.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Once again, Svetlana Kuznetsova is finding success in Washington, D.C.
The former 2015 Citi Open champion is on a roll this week as she has dropped only 14 games so far en route to Sunday’s final.
Kuznetsova easily defeated Andrea Petkovic 6-2, 6-2. That was even though the Russian veteran first had to finish earlier in the day her quarterfinal match 6-2, 6-2 against Yulia Putintseva that was postponed due to rain on Friday.
“It’s crazy how the matches have gone for me,” Kuznetsova said about only dropping 14 games. “What I can say is that I’ve focused on every single point and that’s how it’s worked.”
It’s a surprise yet welcomed run for the two-time major champion who has struggled so far this season after coming back from wrist surgery earlier in the year. Kuznetsova had only won four main draw matches prior to D.C. and fell out of the top 100 for the first time since 2001.
Kuznetsova showed off her power and touch throughout the match as she took advantage of an error prone Petkovic. The current World No. 91 Petkovic owned a 4-2 head to head advantage against Kuznetsova, but that didn’t seem to matter today.
Petkovic jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first set, but that would be the only lead she’d hold all day. Kuznetsova soon got back on level terms and then dominated from the baseline. Soon, Kuznetsova served out the set 6-2.
Kuznetsova then broke Petkovic at the start of the second set. The only real wavering moment for the Russian was in the final game when she served for the match.
Petkovic saved three match points with some gritty play. Yet Kuznetsova finally closed things out with a fine backhand pass followed by a celebratory leap into the air.
Kuznetsova admits she came back too early after her surgery and credits a recent training block in Miami after Wimbledon with getting her ready for the summer hard court swing.
Kuznetsova will play the winner of the second semifinal between Donna Vekic and Saisai Zheng.
“I’ll see whoever will win that match, and just prepare my tactics," Kuznetsova said. "They're two very different players, and both of them are going to be really difficult opponents for the final, but I'm just looking forward to playing.”