Kiki Bertens has sealed a shock win for the Netherlands after defeating Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1,6-4, to give her country an irreversible 3-0 lead.
Facing Kuznetsova in a what was must-win match for Russia, Bertens had previously defeated the former US Open finalist in the 2013 Auckland Open. The 24-year-old also played Kuznetsova in the first round of the 2015 French Open, losing in three sets.
Kuznetsova, who encountered a marathon four-hour match against Richel Hogenkamp yesterday, gave the hosts an encouraging start. After clinching the opening game, the world No.17 applied pressure onto Bertens opening service game as the Dutch player was forced to save four break points before leveling at 1-1. The first two games were as close as Russia got as Bertens dominated the rest of the opening set. Converting her first break of the match to lead 3-1, the world No.106 worked her way towards a chance for a double break a couple games later, after the ball skimmed the top of the net before dropping to Russia’s side of the court. Bertens then sealed the double break after a deep return resulted in Kuznetsova hitting the ball out. There was no way back for Russia as Kuznetsova appeared sluggish on the court. A slice backhand from the world No.17 failed to go over the net to hand the first set to the Netherlands. During her dominating first set performance, Bertens produced 4 aces, 8 winners and 9 unforced errors. In comparison Kuznetsova produce 1 ace, 3 winners and 14 unforced errors.
Leading by a set, Bertens made a tentative start to the second set after a duo of double faults in her opening serving game. Despite the first signs of weakness from the Dutch player, Kuznetsova was still unable to break. Unlike the opening set, proceedings were much closer with the first six games going with serve. At 3-3, Kuznetsova was put under pressure after a series of outstanding shots from Bertens. A backhand shot from the Russian went into the net to hand Bertens a chance for a break to lead 4-3. The Dutch team were then awarded the crucial break after a seemingly straightforward forehand shot from Kuznetsova crashed into the net, sending the home crowd into silence (except the small army of Dutch fans). As the next couple of games went according to serve, the 24-year-old Dutchwoman was then tasked with serving the match out. The task proved simple for Bertens after another unforced error from her opponent handed her two match points. After squandering her first match point, Bertens was triumphant with her second after a outstanding forehand down the line forced Kuznetsova to return the ball straight into the net.
Bertens completed her stunning victory with seven aces, 22 winners (15 more than her rival) and 30 unforced errors. The Dutch player also won 78% of her first service points.
The win now extends Bertens Fed Cup singles record to 13-1. The Netherlands has now knocked Russia out of the Fed Cup in one of the biggest surprises in recent years for the tournament. Last year Russia reached the final at the tournament, losing 3-2 to the Czech Republic. It is now the fourth time that Russia has lost in the first round of the tournament since 2002.
Speaking about her win over Kuznetsova in Moscow, Bertens spoke of her disbelief.
“Well, yesterday was a very big surprise. It’s amazing that we have won already with 3-0”. A delighted Bertens said.
The captain of the Dutch Fed Cup team, Paul Haarhuis, also paid tribute to his team’s unexpected victory. Haarhuis praised the commitment of the players in his team.
“We are a real team, we don’t have great players, but we have a great team”. He said during the on-court interview.
The Netherlands will now play in their first Fed Cup semifinal since 1997.
