Kuznetsova Reaches Mercury Insurance Open Final

8/7/2010

Carlsbad, Calif. -- Playing under clear, sunny skies and near-perfect temperatures at the La Costa Resort and Spa on Saturday afternoon, Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia, earned a spot in the finals of the Mercury Insurance Open Presented by Tri-City Medical Center as she defeated Flavia Pennetta of Italy, 6-4, 6-0.

The Russian put on a dominating performance, ending the fifth-seeded Italian’s tournament run. With her semifinal victory, Kuznetsova advances to her first Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles final in ten months.

After exchanging service breaks early in the first set, Kuznetsova and Pennetta settled into a tight duel as each held serve until 4-3 in the Russian’s favor. Pennetta then dropped serve to fall behind 5-3.

Kuznetsova attempted to serve out the first set, but Pennetta broke back to get back on serve. With the crowd cheering, the Italian served to stay in the set but a determined Kuznetsova scored the key break of serve and took the first set in 40 minutes. 

The unseeded Russian, who recently dropped out o f the top 20, came out in the second set focused as she sensed a spot in Sunday’s final within her grasp.
 
Kuznetsova totally dominated the second set from start to finish as she built a 5-0 lead. Pennetta, serving to stay in the match, fought off the first match point when she hit a 103-mph ace, but the Russian put away the match four points later to seal the victory and advance to the final.

Kuznetsova, who had 26 winners and 25 unforced errors in her victory over Pennetta, will face the winner of the Daniela Hantuchova  / Agnieszka Radwanska Saturday night semifinal match.