SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER!
 
 
Facebook Social Button Twitter Social Button Follow Us on InstagramYouTube Social Button
NewsScoresRankingsLucky Letcord PodcastShopPro GearPickleballGear Sale


By Chris Oddo | Thursday October 20, 2016

Svetlana Kuznetsova is closing in on her first trip to the WTA Finals in seven years. The Russian eked past Hungary’s Timea Babos on Thursday to book her spot in the Kremlin Cup semifinals, 7-5, 6-7(2), 6-2.

More: Del Potro Cruises Past Almagro in Stockholm

The 31-year-old was made to work in her first career meeting with 23-year-old Babos, as the pair split a couple of hard-fought sets before Kuznetsova took control in the third set, winning the final three games (after Babos rallied from 3-0 down to 3-2) to clinch the win in two hours and 32 minutes.

Kuznetsova improves to 41-18 on the season and has now won 10 of her last 13. She has now won seven in a row at the Kremlin Cup.

Kuznetsova finished with 26 winners against 39 unforced errors while Babos tossed in 26 winners against 51 unforced.

Babos, who finished last season ranked at No.85 in singles, is currently the World No.26 after winning 35 matches this season.

Kuznetsova will face Ukrainian Elina Svitolina in the semifinals on Friday in Moscow. The No.4 seed eased past Croatia’s Ana Konjuh, 6-1, 6-1.

Daria Gavrilova (d. Pavlyuchenkova) and Julia Goerges (d. Kasatkina) also advanced to set a date in the semifinal on the lower half.

Svitolina has not met Kuznetsova since the 2014 Australian Open where she defeated the Russian in straight sets in the first round.

Svitolina improves to 38-20 on the season and will bid for her third final of 2016 against Kuznetsova.

 

Latest News