Kuznetsova survives first round thriller, advances to second round on Day 2 in New Haven

No. 1 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova was nearly demolished in her debut match in New Haven, but escaped defeat after beating Jie Zheng in a tough three-setter, while the No. 5 and 8 seeds, the only other seeds playing, advanced to the second round on Day 2.

Kuznetsova looked comfortable in the first set of her match, but the action started in the second set, when Zheng took control and took the set in a close tiebreaker. In the third set, the Russian came back from being a break down to win the match with a score of 61 67(5) 64.

No. 5 seed Agnieszka Radwanska also was in a bit of trouble in her match against qualifier Roberta Vinci, but the Pole managed to escape, winning the match with a score of 62 26 76(5).

No. 8 seed Amelie Mauresmo wasn't challenge by opponent Ai Sugiyama, and easily breezed through after winning with a score of 64 61.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Singles - First Round

(1/WC) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) d. Zheng Jie (CHN) 61 67(5) 64

(5) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. (Q) Roberta Vinci (ITA) 26 62 76(5)

(8) Amélie Mauresmo (FRA) d. Ai Sugiyama (JPN) 64 61

Virginie Razzano (FRA) d. Patty Schnyder (SUI) 63 36 63

Elena Vesnina (RUS) d. Gisela Dulko (ARG) 76(6) 62

Iveta Benesova (CZE) d. (LL) Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 46 62 61

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 63 63

(Q) Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) d. Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 64 64

(Q) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) 36 61 64