Svetlana Kuznetsova has clinched her first ever singles title on Australian soil after brushing aside Monica Puig 6-0, 6-2, in the final of the Apia International in Sydney.
Due to yesterday’s poor weather conditions, both players were forced to complete their semifinal matches on the same day as the final. Kuznetsova booked her place in the final following a marathon 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3, win over world No.2 Simona Halep. As the match went into the third set, Kuznetsova had to fend off four break points in one game to hold her serve. The hold was significant for the match outcome as two games later the Russian broke the top seed for the fourth time in the match to edge herself towards the win.
During the two hour and 44 minute encounter, the world No.25 won 61% of her first serves but only 38% of her second. The win over Halep was the first time that Kuznetsova has beaten a top two player since Dinara Safina at the 2009 French Open.
Meanwhile qualifier Puig booked her place in the final after Belinda Bencic retired. The Puerto Rican was leading 6-0 before the Swiss retired due to illness. The Swiss said after her retirement that she was ‘throwing up all morning’.
In the final it was a Kuznetsova Masterclass after she blew the world No.94 away in under an hour. Despite playing two hours of tennis earlier in the day, the Russian was the strongest on the court against a faltering Puig. Producing outstanding groundstrokes and aggressive play, the 30-year-old won 9 consecutive games before her opponent could get a game on the scoreboard. There was glimmers Puig’s talent on the court, but they were rare as she produced 15 unforced errors during the match.
This forehand cross-court is ridiculous #Kuznetsova https://t.co/QcFq5Dh6Uf
— Giulio Fedele (@fedele_giulio) January 15, 2016
Throughout the 55-minute final, Kuznetsova produced 25 winners and only 4 unforced errors. In addition the world No.25 also won 81% of her service points and converted 5/8 break points.
After Kuznetsova claimed her 16th WTA title, runner-up Puig paid tribute to the Russian.
“You truly are a champion, congratulations on this victory” Puig said.
The win is a big confidence boost for Kutznetsova ahead of next week’s Australian Open, where she is seeded 23rd. The 30-year-old will kick-off her campaign at the tournament against Slovakia’s Daniela Hantuchová. In her quarter the Russian could face 12th Belinda Bencic in the third round followed by a potential meeting with Maria Sharapova in the fourth.
