World number nine Daniela Hantuchova saved five set points and eventually won the opening set, and after that the Slovakian quickly overcame Russian world number two Svetlana Kuznetsova. Final result: 7-6(7) 6-0.
Kuznetsova started the first set with a 3-0 lead, but battling Hantuchova fought back and took the set to a tiebreak. The tiebreak was tight, but the Slovakian stayed strong and won it. Hantuchova was clearly dominant in the second, and here’s the fact — Kuznetsova scored only four points in the first four games of the second set. How disappointing from the second-ranked player in the world.
I love Daniela! All the best to her in 2008!