Kuznetsova Draws Russia Even After Kvitova Dominates First Match

(November 5, 2011) After a dominating performance from newly crowned World No. 2 Petra Kvitova over Maria Kirilenko 6-2, 6-2, Russia looked to Svetlana Kuznetsova to level the contest. The Fed Cup veteran wasted no time in bringing the first day to a stalemate as she blitzed Lucie Safarova 6-2, 6-3.

Kirilenko started out hoping to give Russia an early lead, keeping even with Kvitova until two games each. At that point the Czech stepped up her game, earning a break when Kirilenko missed a backhand volley into the net.

From there it was a dominating performance from Kvitova who limited Kirilenko to only two games for the remainder of the match. With the win, the strong Czech team took the early lead, hoping Safarova could bring them to needing just one win on Sunday to seal the victory.

Kuznetsova had other ideas however, quickly racing out to a 4-0 lead in the first set and never relinquishing control. The closest to danger the Russian faced in the match was early in the second set, when Safarova broke back to even at one game each and then consolidated with a hold.

The Russian, who now holds a 22-7 record in Fed Cup singles matches, did not spend much time finishing off the match and drawing her team even to end the day.

Kuznetsova is scheduled to be first up against Kvitova in the reverse singles on Sunday, followed by Kirilenko and Safarova. Should the need arise for doubles to decide the match, the current schedule would pit Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Elena Vesnina against Lucie Hradecka and Kveta Peschke, the World No. 2 in doubles.