Kuznetsova Beats Hantuchova in Eastbourne Final
LONDON (Reuters)
Svetlana Kuznetsova ended Daniela Hantuchova's dream run at the Eastbourne
International tennis tournament Saturday, slamming the brakes on the Slovak
to win the title.
The second-seeded Russian was blown away by Hantuchova -- once ranked fifth in
the world but now wallowing at 54th -- in the first set before hitting back for
a 2-6, 7-6, 6-4 win.
For the Russian, who had lost the last three finals she had contested, victory
meant a first title since Bali in September 2002. Her title win was also the
third by a Russian woman in as many weeks. Anastasia Myskina won the French
Open two weeks ago and Maria Sharapova won last week's grass-court tournament
in Edgbaston.
"It's great for Russians," the 18-year-old Kuznetsova said.
"I just could not get into the match at the start, and Daniela was playing so
unbelievably, I couldn't do anything...but I just tried to stay in the second
set.
"It was very close...it was so tough, I was so nervous...it was a game of
nerves.
"It means so much because my last title was in 2002 -- I was starting to think
'you keep losing'."
Just reaching the final was a triumph for Hantuchova whose form had slumped
dramatically in the last 18 months.
She suffered a difficult 2003 as her skeletal appearance prompted concerns
about her diet and health.
Since then, however, the 21-year-old Hantuchova has put on more than six
kilograms and reunited with British coach Nigel Sears.
Looking happier than in many months, Hantuchova played with abandon and a
cheery smile on Devonshire Park's grass courts all week.
She beat top seed Amelie Mauresmo in the semi-finals on Friday to reach her
first final since October 2002.
For two sets she was at her best -- serving for the match at 6-5 in the second
set -- but she could not keep it up.
Although Kuznetsova walked away with the silverware on Saturday, Hantuchova has
a lot to be pleased about and will go into next week's Wimbledon championships
with a much-needed boost in confidence.
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韓娃增重了6公斤..
那現在應該也還是沒有60公斤?~!
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