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Kuznetsova Chokes Up but Advances at Australian Open
Posted on January 17, 2008
Some top seeds were tested Thursday at the Australian Open, where notable seeds No. 2 Svetlana Kuznetsova and No. 8 Venus Williams moved into the third round with some difficulty.
The Russian Kuznetsova choked up against Tsvetana Pironkova before eventually subduing the Bulgarian 7-6(0), 6-2, and Williams had a tough first set against Camille Pin before setting the Frenchwoman down 7-5, 6-4.
"I didn't start well. I was missing and not doing the right things, but she was also playing very well," Kuznetsova said. "I was getting tighter, and I still just wasn't playing my game."
Williams said that pretty or ugly, a win is a win.
"At this point I feel like I know how to play tennis; whether or not I have my best match or a match that's not so good isn't something that worries me for the next round," Williams said. "It's just important for me to get to the next round. I feel like I can always play better, even if I play well."
Other Top 10 seeds into the third round Thursday were (4) Ana Ivanovic (d. Tathiana Garbin), (6) Anna Chakvetadze (d. Alisa Kleybanova), and (9) Daniela Hantuchova (d. Alize Cornet).
In the lone seeded upset Thursday, Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki tripped up No. 21 seed Alona Bondarenko 7-6(4), 6-1.
Friday's highlights on court are (1) Justine Henin vs. (25) Francesca Schiavone, (3) Jelena Jankovic vs. (30) Virginie Razzano, (18) Amelie Mauresmo vs. Aussie favorite Casey Dellacqua, (26) Victoria Azarenka vs. (7) Serena Williams, an all-Russian in Elena Vesnina vs. (5) Maria Sharapova, and (11) Elena Dementieva vs. (17) Shahar Peer.
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