Kuznetsova sees off Morigami threat

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:35

The women’s number five seed made light work of her opponent in the opening set to win it 6-3.

But the Osaka-born player put up stiffer resistance in the second set and forced the three-times Wimbledon quarter-finalist into numerous unforced errors.

Morigami took a 4-3 lead to put the pressure back on the fifth seed but Russian Kuznetsova, who will be 24 in four days’ time, responded with a love game on her serve to level the scores.

Kuznetsova then broke Morigami’s serve, leaving her just one solid game from victory, but the underdog hit back immediately.

They traded breaks of serve again, with Kuznetsova, who beat Dinara Safina to win the French Open title earlier this month, struggling to finish off her opponent.

The set went to a tie-break which Kuznetsova won 7-1 to clinch a 6-3 7-6 triumph.

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By Tim Farthing

About the Author / Tim Farthing

Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.