Kuznetsova shows steel

ByEurosport

Published 08/06/2006 at 13:50 GMT

Eighth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova put in a gutsy display on Thursday to come back from a set down against Czech teenager Nicole Vaidisova and book a place in this year's French Open final. The Russian took the match 5-7 7-6 6-2 to end the hopes of her young

The result was tough on Vaidisova, but in the end it was Kuznetsova's experience - she had been disappointed for the last two years with losses to the eventual winners of the tournament - that won the day.

TENNIS 2006 French Open semi final Kuznetsova

Image credit: Reuters

"I think I benefited from my experience," said the 20-year-old Kuznetsova. "I've played more often on centre court than she has and I knew it was possible to turn the match around."

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Vaidisova's energy and forehand troubled the Russian throughout the match, but Kuznetsova was able to dig deep when the chips were down and overcome the 17-year-old Czech.

Both players matched each other shot for shot during the first set, but it was the older of the two who drew first blood, although she was unable to hold her advantage for long.

SEARING RUN

Kuznetsova broke for the first time in the match in the eighth game to take a 5-3 lead, only to see her Czech opponent break straight back before going on a searing run of four consecutive won games to take the first set 7-5.

TENNIS 2006 French Open Semi final Vaidisova

Image credit: Reuters

The second set thrilled the packed centre court as Kuznetsova recovered from an early break down to stay in touch with her opponent, biding her time in readiness to strike.

And strike she did, but the Russian left it late to get the set back on serve, as Vaidisova cracked under the pressure of having the chance to serve for the match at 5-4.

The number eight seed took advantage to level at five games each, before a tie break was needed to settle the matter.

NERVY TIE BREAK

With the momentum with the Russian, and Vaidisova's nerves showing, a third set was inevitable, with Kuznetsova powering her way to winning the breaker to five.

TENNIS 2006 French Open Vaidisova N. - Kuznetsova S.

Image credit: dpa

And that momentum continued during the third and final set, with Vaidisova's game falling to pieces as the realisation that her opponent was cannier, and ultimately stronger, than she was set in.

Kuznetsova booked her place in the final on the first of three match points and with a booming ace, leaving Vaidisova wondering what might have been and Kuznetsova with the very real prospect of winning her second Grand Slam title.

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