Kuznetsova Hits Back To Stop Gavrilova
ROME, Italy – Svetlana Kuznetsova won a see-saw encounter against Daria Gavrilova on Thursday to return to the quarterfinals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
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A two-time finalist at the Foro Italico, Kuznetsova kept alive her hopes of finally lifting the trophy with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 victory.
The result sets up a rematch with Serena Williams, whom Kuznetsova upset en route to the final in Miami. Williams came through a sterner than expected test against Christina McHale, eventually running out a 7-6(7), 6-1 winner.
Kuznetsova’s only previous encounter with Gavrilova came over three years ago, ending in a comfortable straight sets victory. Since then, much has changed – both on and off the court – for Gavrilova.
Now based out of Australia, and occupying a place inside the Top 50, Gavrilova is a threat to the game’s big names, something she illustrated by knocking out No.6 seed Simona Halep – her sixth win over a member of the Top 10 – in the previous round.
And after a rocky start against Kuznetsova on Pietrangeli, Gavrilova displayed her newfound maturity to steady the ship and force a decider. Playing the more purposeful tennis, the youngster had Kuznetsova slipping and sliding all over the place in the first game of the third set. Somehow, though, the former French Open champion managed to hang onto her serve, taking some of the wind out of the youngster’s sails in the process.
A game later Kuznetsova had the break, profiting from a heavy net cord. While she was unable to hold onto this advantage for long, she profited from a couple of tight forehands from Gavrilova to break decisively in the eighth game.
“I was a bit tense because I didn’t know what to expect, basically,” Kuznetsova said. “I was trying to figure out how I should play. I saw a couple games against Halep yesterday, but that was a weird match – not something to get ideas for today’s game.
“I played her before she went to Australia. I played her once in Dubai. She played totally different game. I know she’s a fighter and she brings lots of balls back, she changes the pace. Yeah, it was difficult match. But for her, it was different. I’m kind of the favorite, kind of, you know. She had no pressure almost. I just wanted to play my game basically and that’s it and try to dictate.”