By Erik Gudris | Saturday, October 22, 2016
Svetlana Kuznetsova breezed past Daria Gavrilova to defend her Moscow title and secure the last spot for the upcoming WTA Finals.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Top seed Svetlana Kuznetsova will not have much time to savor defending her Kremlin Cup title in Moscow. The Russian veteran, by defending her title, also booked the last remaining spot for next week’s WTA Finals in Singapore.
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“I was trying not to think about Singapore all week,” Kuznetsova told WTA Insider right after her win. “I was playing match by match and I’m so happy to win and reach WTA Finals.”
Kuznetsova, playing in her second straight Moscow final, took on Australia’s Daria Gavrilova. A solid week for Gavrilova put her in her first ever WTA final with hopes of winning her maiden title.
Early on, Gavrilova looked poised to perhaps pull off the upset after she claimed the opening two games. But after that, it was all Kuznetsova.
Battling through several extended games, Kuznetsova got back on even terms and then broke Gavrilova for a 3-2 lead. Kuznetsova then hung on to her next service game with an ace for 4-2.
Gavrilova had few answers as Kuznetsova continued ripping huge winners, especially from her backhand wing. Kuznetsova hit another backhand winner to take the set 6-2.
Kuznetsova secured an early service break to start the second set and quickly assumed control of the match. Despite scrappy play from Gavrilova, she couldn’t match Kuznetsova’s power.
Gavrilova managed to earn another game but it wasn’t enough down the stretch. Kuznetsova soon held match points and connected on a final forehand winner to secure the 6-2, 6-1 victory.
Moscow is the second title of the year for Kuznetsova who has enjoyed a career resurgence in 2016, including returning to the WTA top ten.
With the title win, Kuznetsova earned the last remaining spot for the WTA Finals in Singapore edging out Great Britain’s Jo Konta. This is the first appearance for Kuznetsova in the season-ending event since 2009, and the sixth time in her career.
Kuznetsova is scheduled to face Agnieszka Radwanska in round robin play on Monday.