Ailing Kuznetsova loses in Toronto
Ailing Kuznetsova loses in Toronto
August 18, 2005
TORONTO (AP) -- Svetlana Kuznetsova, who begins her U.S. Open title
defense in 10 days, played despite lower back pain Thursday and lost
to Argentina's Gisela Dulko 7-6 (3), 7-6 (8) at the Rogers Cup.
The third-seeded Russian struggled throughout the match, and in the
first set it appeared she would be unable to finish.
``It's hurting very much. I think I should have stopped playing,''
Kuznetsova said. ``But when the match is so close, it's so difficult
just to say go, and that's it.''
Dulko, ranked 35th, forced Kuznetsova several times to lunge for crosscourt
shots. Trailing 6-5 in the first set, Kuznetsova asked a trainer to
massage her back. She walked gingerly back onto the court, clutching her
back and grimacing.
``I said, 'OK, I'll play two more games and see what's going on,'''
Kuznetsova said. ``I couldn't play my backhand at all. My forehand, I can
move only the hand. I cannot turn my body. I could run more or less.
``But I just couldn't take this decision to pull out. I never did it in my
life.''
Between sets, the Russian headed for the locker room, returning in a
long-sleeve shirt. Her back seemed to loosen midway through the second set
, but Dulko persisted and closed the match with a blistering forehand to
reach the quarterfinals.
``My game plan was to move her a little bit,'' said Dulko. ``I think I
did it pretty well. We both ran a lot. I think it was a tough match for
both of us.
``She fought until the last point. It was a really tight match. And I think
yes, it's a really big win for me because I get the opportunity to be in
the quarterfinals of this big tournament.''
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