Tennis News

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.

Watch highlights, interviews and more video from Rome right here on wtatennis.com!

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.”

STRASBOURG, France – Caroline Garcia advanced to the final of the Internationaux de Strasbourg after coming through an epic encounter with fellow Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano.

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Leading 5-3 in the final set Garcia looked on course to close out the match in relative comfort. However, lucky loser Razzano ensured a dramatic finish by breaking back in the next game before eventually succumbing, 6-7(3), 6-4, 7-5.

“It feels great. I’ve watched Virginie for as long as I can remember,” Garcia said. “She’s a great player and a bit of an idol, so to not only play her but beat her was an amazing experience.

“It’s important for my confidence to get wins like this and in finals, especially ahead of Roland Garros next week. It was a fighting performance. Losing that first set was tough but I came back and got through.”

Later on, hopes of an all-French final were dashed in spectacular fashion as qualifier Mirjana Lucic-Baroni dismantled No.4 seed Kristina Mladenovic, 6-1, 6-1, in exactly an hour.

In 1997, a teenage Lucic-Baroni lost to Steffi Graf in the final, and despite her long week she is quietly confident of making it second time lucky. 

“Nineteen years in between the finals. It’s amazing. It’s like coming home now for me in Strasbourg,” she said. “Will I become French after this? No! If I would change it would be to Italian. My husband is Italian.”

Garcia has won all three of her previous meetings with Lucic-Baroni, including earlier this year in Miami. “Against Garcia, I’ve always posted negative results,” she added. “But hopefully that will change tomorrow! I’m playing some great tennis and haven’t been on court very long, despite coming through qualies.

“I’ve just got to keep this going, keep on playing strong, and hopefully I can get the title.”