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Sports / Tennis
Kuznetsova and Chakvetadze to square off in semis
(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-09-06 05:56
NEW YORK, Sept 5 - Former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova ended the inspired
run of teenager Agnes Szavay on Wednesday to set up an all-Russian
semi-final against Anna Chakvetadze at the U.S. Open.
Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova hits a return to Hungary's Agnes Szavay
during their women's quarter-finals match at the U.S. Open tennis
tournament in Flushing Meadows, New York, September 5, 2007. [Reuters]
The 22-year-old Kuznetsova never lost her serve and needed only 67
minutes to oust the 18-year-old Hungarian 6-1 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"I had so much energy out there today and I thought I was nervous but I
could control it," said fourth-seeded Kuznetsova, the 2004 Open champion.
"I feel so fresh for the semi-final. I'm ready to go to give it my best
shot."
Sixth-seeded Chakvetadze, 20, advanced to the last four of a grand slam
for the first time by overwhelming Israeli 18th seed Shahar Peer 6-4 6-1.
Under the lights on Wednesday night, three-times defending champion Roger
Federer will face 2003 winner Andy Roddick in a quarter-final slugfest.
On the women's side, twice former champion Venus Williams will battle
third seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia for the chance to meet top seed
Justine Henin in the other semi-final.
'TOUGH MATCH'
Kuznetsova has only lost one set during her five Open matches but expects
a "tough match" against Chakvetadze.
"She's extremely confident because she's won a couple tournaments on the
hard court," Kuznetsova said. "She's an up-and-coming player.
"I think the difference is going to be that I have a little bit more
experience. I've been in a semi-final before. It's her first time."
The 31st-ranked Szavay had not lost a set in her previous four matches
but got steamrollered on Wednesday and tipped Kuznetsova to reach the
final.
"She has everything, a good serve, a big forehand," said Szavay, playing
in only her third grand slam event. "She has a big, big forehand and her
backhand is also good. She's tough mentally."
Chakvetadze converted five of eight break points to defeat the
20-year-old Peer for the third time in four meetings.
"I don't have powerful groundstrokes and I just fight until the end and
try to play smart," said Chakvetadze.
Peer had become a crowd favourite and the partisan cheering seemed to
inspire Chakvetadze.
"I was a little nervous because the crowd was against me, but I thought
to myself, 'I will die on this court. I have to win. I have to prove that
I can win'," said Chakvetadze.
Peer said she was particularly upset at the loss because she had beaten
Chakvetadze at Indian Wells earlier this year.
"I'm disappointed I lost but she was playing good today," she said.
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