Fresh, Healthy Kuznetsova Back on Track in Sydney

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Fresh, Healthy Kuznetsova Back on Track in Sydney

By Erik Gudris

(January 8, 2013) -- If you thought it was odd seeing the letter "Q" next to Svetlana Kuznetsova's name this week as she competes at the Apia International in Sydney, don't worry. She thought so too.

"It was weird I tell you. It was very weird," said Kuznetsova about have to play qualifying after she beat former World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki on a brutally hot day to reach the quarterfinals. "But you know it made me stronger. I'm here. It worked for me those last three matches."

Though a two-time Grand Slam champion, Kuznetsova's ranking has slipped to No. 85 in the world due in large part to having taken six months off since Wimbledon to recover from a knee injury. The Russian requested a wildcard into Sydney but didn't get it, so she played qualifying to make it into the main draw.

The extra matches proved to be beneficial for Kuznetsova as it helped find her powerful all-court game. After ousting Julia Goerges in the first round, Kuznetsova beat Wozniacki in a lengthy three set battle in temperatures that were well over 100 degrees Farenheit. The 7-6(4),1-6, 6-2 victory put her into the quarterfinals where she will next face No. 2 seed Angelique Kerber.

In her post-match press conference, Kuznetsova was candid about her long break from the game that she says helped her not only heal her body, but her mind that had grown weary of the non-stop grind of travel that she's been on since becoming a pro back in 2000.

"I never felt sick of the game because I love tennis a lot, but I have been sick of the traveling and staying away from home and my family and friends."

But though she enjoyed it at first when she didn't have to go back to the practice courts while recuperating in Moscow, Kuznetsova said she couldn't stay away forever.

"When I was first home I was like 'Really! I don't have to wake up and go to the practice courts tomorrow.' But then after one month two month three month, I was like I need to work. I need to have a goal. So I took it very slowly and had one hour of practice and then second week a little more so I felt good."

Kuznetsova never felt disappointed about her long break and feels it was a blessing in some ways as now she feels much happier on the court.

"Now after the break, I don't know, I just feel fresh, I feel happy, and I feel balanced on the court," she said. I feel like I'm doing the right things when I have to do them."

Though several high-profile Russian women have either left the game voluntarily such as Elena Dementieva or in the case of Dinara Safina due to prolonged injury, at age 27 Kuznetsova feels she still has more to accomplish in her stellar career that has netted her over $16 million dollars in prize money.

"I felt like I have so much more (for) me do in tennis. What do I stay at home for? I will have time for that after my career is over. I love to work. I love to sweat. My time is not to stop yet."