Svetlana Kuznetsova

Infobox Tennis player
playername = Svetlana Kuznetsova


country = RUS
nickname = Sveta
Kuzzi or Kuzzy
The Kuz
residence = St. Petersburg, Russia
datebirth = birth date and age|1985|6|27
placebirth = Leningrad, Soviet Union
now St. Petersburg, Russia
height = height|m=1.74
weight = convert|73|kg|lb st|abbr=on|lk=on
retired = "Active"
turnedpro = 2000
plays = Right; Two-handed backhand
careerprizemoney = $ 9,685,183
singlesrecord = 342–140
singlestitles = 9 WTA, 1 ITF
highestsinglesranking = No. 2 (September 10, 2007)
AustralianOpenresult = QF (2005)
FrenchOpenresult = F (2006)
Wimbledonresult = QF (2003, 2005, 2007)
USOpenresult = W (2004)
doublesrecord = 183–70
doublestitles = 13 WTA
highestdoublesranking = No. 3 (June 7, 2004)
updated = September 29, 2008

Svetlana Aleksandrovna Kuznetsova ( _ru. Audio|Svetlana_kuznetsova.ogg|Светлана Александровна Кузнецова) (born June 27, 1985) is a Russian professional tennis player who is currently ranked World No. 7. She won the 2004 US Open singles title and was the runner-up in singles at the 2006 French Open and the 2007 US Open.

The surname Kuznetsov and its feminine form, Kuznetsova, are pronounced in Russian with the stress on the syllable with the "o".

Family life

Kuznetsova was born in Leningrad. Kuznetsova has a powerful build and strong legs thanks to her parents. Her father Alexandr Kuznetsov has coached five Olympic and world cycling champions. Her father's protégés include her mother, Galina Tsareva, a six-time world champion and holder of 20 world records, and Svetlana’s brother, Nikolai Kuznetsov, a silver medalist at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Kuznetsova also tried out cycling in her early years, but it bored her. She focused on tennis instead and was sent to Spain when she was 13 years old for better training and coaching. Despite training in Barcelona, the Spanish Tennis Federation did not see Kuznetsova as a possible future champion. However, in 2004 she became the first Russian woman to win the US Open and has risen as high as No. 2 on the WTA rankings.

Tennis career

Playing style

Kuznetsova is an all-around player as she has adapted her game to all surfaces. Her game is characterized by her strong serve and her heavy forehand. Kuznetsova's serve is aided by her powerful physique, and she is often considered to be one of the physically strongest players on the tour along with Venus and Serena Williams. Many tennis experts say that her powerful inside-out forehand is one of the best in the women's game. Kuznetsova is capable of hitting winners of both wings. Her volleys are very effective, and she is capable of producing deft touch.

Her game is strengthened by her footwork and movement around the court. She is among the few players (along with Jelena Jankovic and Kim Clijsters) who are capable of sliding on all the major playing surfaces. She is also capable of producing spectacular shots like running shots, passing shots, and between-the-legs shots when in form, but, on an off-day, her shots can fly all over the court.

Although a Grand Slam champion, Kuznetsova struggles in high pressure matches with the very best in the world and succumbs to her nerves, but she is significantly showing improvement. She is known for her competitiveness and fighting spirit. Tennis Hall-of-Famer Jana Novotna referred to her as a "fighter."Fact|date=June 2008

Doubles

Kuznetsova is a frequent doubles player and has been ranked as high as third in the world (in June 2004). Kuznetsova teamed with Australia's Alicia Molik to win the 2005 Australian Open, defeating Americans Lindsay Davenport and Corina Morariu in the final. Kuznetsova has reached five other Grand Slam doubles finals, with Martina Navratilova, Elena Likhovtseva, and Amelie Mauresmo as her partners.

ingles

2004

Kuznetsova won her only Grand Slam singles title at the US Open, where she defeated countrywoman Elena Dementieva in straight sets in an all-Russian final (the second in history after the Anastasia Myskina-Dementieva final at the French Open of the same year).

At the US Open, Kuznetsova was seeded ninth. She defeated Mary Pierce in the fourth round, Nadia Petrova in the quarterfinals before upsetting fifth-seeded Lindsay Davenport in the semifinals (ending Davenport's 22-match winning streak with a 1-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory). In the final, Kuznetsova overcame a nervous start to win the title over compatriot Elena Dementieva.

2005

Kuznetsova found it difficult to follow up on her maiden Grand Slam success, failing to advance past the quarterfinals of any Grand Slam tournament, and, moreover, winning no titles of any kind in 2005. At the US Open, Kuznetsova lost to Ekaterina Bychkova, becoming the first female defending US Open champion to lose in the first round. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/30/sports/tennis/30tennis.html Serena Williams Sparkles, but Kuznetsova Fizzles] ]

2006

After an 18-month title drought, Kuznetsova won the Tier I Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Florida. She saved match points before defeating Martina Hingis in the third round. She then defeated World No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo in the semifinals before beating Maria Sharapova in the final in straight sets.

At the French Open, Kuznetsova defeated 17 year old Czech Nicole Vaidisova in the semifinals 5–7, 7–6(5), 6–2 after saving a match point. She then lost in the final to Justine Henin in straight sets.

At Wimbledon, Kuznetsova survived a second-round match against Czech Kveta Peschke 4–6, 6–1, 6–4 but lost in the third round to eventual quarterfinalist Li Na 3–6, 6–2, 6–3.

After a month layoff because of an abdominal injury, Kuznetsova returned to the tour at the Tier I Rogers Cup in Montreal. She lost a close two-set match to Hingis in the quarterfinals. At her next tournament, the Pilot Pen Tennis in New Haven, Connecticut, Kuznetsova lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Henin.

At the US Open, Kuznetsova lost in the fourth round to Jelena Jankovic.

Kuznetsova then won consecutive singles titles at the Tier II China Open in Beijing, defeating Mauresmo in the final, and at the Tier III Wismilak International in Bali, defeating Lindsay Davenport in the semifinals and Marion Bartoli in the final to win her third title in Bali. Her career win-loss singles record in Bali is 13-0.

At her next three tournaments, Kuznetsova lost in the semifinals of the Tier II Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, the second round of the Tier I Kremlin Cup in Moscow, and the semifinals of the Tier I Zurich Open. At the year-ending Sony Ericsson Championships in Madrid, Kuznetsova lost two of her three round robin matches and failed to advance to the semifinals.

2007

Kuznetsova lost in the final of the Tier I Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California to Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova. Reaching the final improved her ranking to a career high of World No. 3.

In May, she reached the final of another Tier I tournament, the Qatar Telecom German Open in Berlin, losing to Ana Ivanovic of Serbia in a very tight match after defeating World No. 1 Justine Henin in the semifinals. Kuznetsova also reached the final of the Tier I Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome before losing to Jelena Jankovic.

Kuznetsova reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon but lost to 26th-seeded Venus Williams 6–3, 6–4.

During the North American summer hard court season, Kuznetsova won the Pilot Pen Tennis tournament in unusual circumstances. She led Francesca Schiavone 6–2 in the quarterfinals before Schiavone retired; led Elena Dementieva 4–6, 6–3, 3–0 before Dementieva retired; and was behind Agnes Szavay 4–6, 3–0 when Szavay retired.

At the US Open, second-seeded Maria Sharapova and fourth-seeded Kunznetsova were placed in the bottom half of the draw. Therefore, the two would have played in the semifinals had form held. However, because of Sharapova's loss in the third round to 30th seeded Agnieszka Radwanska, Kuznetsova as the highest seeded player remaining in the bottom half became favored to reach the final. Kuznetsova defeated Klara Zakopalova in the first round and French player Camille Pin in the second round 6–3, 4–6, 6–0. Kuznetsova then defeated Spanish player Anabel Medina Garrigues and Belarussian teen Victoria Azarenka in the next two rounds to advance to the quarterfinals. This was the first time she had advanced beyond the fourth round since she won the event in 2004. Kuznetsova then defeated Szavay in the quarterfinals and Anna Chakvetadze in the semifinals 3–6, 6–1, 6–1. Kuznetsova described the first set of that match as "embarrassing." In the final, Kuznetsova lost to Henin in straight sets, making numerous unforced errors. Nevertheless, her performance at the US Open caused her ranking to rise to a career-high World No. 2.

Kuznetsova then went on to compete for Russia in the Fed Cup, winning both her rubbers and in the process helping Russia to retain the cup.

At the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Germany, Kuznetsova recorded her first career win over Serena Williams 6–3, 6–3 before losing in the semifinals to Tatiana Golovin 6–2, 6–4. She then reached the semifinals of the Kremlin Cup, her best finish at the principal Russian tournament on the WTA Tour.

At the Sony Ericsson Championships, Kuznetsova lost to Sharapova (5–7, 6–2, 6–2), Ivanovic (6–1, 4–6, 7–5), and Daniela Hantuchova (7-6(7), 6-0) in the round-robin stage and therefore did not advance to the semifinals. It was her third appearance at the end-of-the-year championships and the third time she failed to advance. She finished the year ranked at a career high World No. 2.

2008

Kuznetsova was the runner-up at the Medibank International in Sydney, losing to World No. 1 Justine Henin in the final. Although Kuznetsova was the second seeded player at the Australian Open, she lost in third round to Agnieszka Radwanska 6–3, 6–4.

Kuznetsova also was the runner-up at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, defeating Jelena Jankovic in the semifinals before losing in the final to compatriot Elena Dementieva.

At the Tier I Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California, Kuznetsova received a bye in the first round before defeating each of her next four opponents in straight sets, including Agnieszka Radwanska in the quarterfinals. Then, Kuznetsova handed Maria Sharapova her first loss of the year, defeating her in the semifinals 6–3, 5–7, 6–2. In the final, Kuznetsova lost to top-seeded Ana Ivanovic in straight sets. At the Tier I Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Florida the next week, Kuznetsova was defeated in the semifinals by defending champion and eventual winner Serena Williams 3–6, 7–5, 6–3.

During the spring clay court season, Kuznetsova lost in the third round of the Tier I Qatar Telecom German Open in Berlin to Alona Bondarenko and in the third round of the Tier I Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome to qualifier and eventual runner-up Alize Cornet of France 6–2, 6–4. At the French Open, Kuznetsova reached the semifinals without dropping a set but lost there to recent Berlin winner Dinara Safina 6–3, 6–2.

Kuznetsova was the top seed at the grass court International Women's Open in Eastbourne, United Kingdom but lost in the second round to Dane Caroline Wozniacki. At Wimbledon, Kuznetsova was seeded fourth and was one of four women who could have become World No. 1 at the end of the tournament.Fact|date=June 2008 However, Kuznetsova failed to hold a 4-1 lead in the third set and lost to fourteenth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska in the fourth round 6–4, 1–6, 7–5.

At the Tier I Rogers Cup in Montreal, Kuznetsova failed to hold a 2–0 second set lead against Dinara Safina in the quarterfinals before losing 2–6, 6–3, 6–2.

Kuznetsova was the third-seeded player at the Olympic Games in Beijing but lost in the first round to Li Na of China 7–6(5), 6–4. Kuznetsova was also the third-seeded player at the US Open but lost in the third round to 28th seeded Katarina Srebotnik 6–3, 6–7(1), 6–3. Kuznetsova met Srebotnik several weeks later at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, where she defeated her 7–6(5), 6–2 in the semi-finals, after having defeated Jelena Jankovic in the previous stage. [citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7626899.stm|title=Safina and Kuznetsova reach final|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2008-09-20|accessdate=2008-09-21] She faced Dinara Safina in the final, whom she lost to 6–1, 6–3. [citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7627786.stm|title=Safina powers to Pan Pacific win|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2008-09-21|accessdate=2008-09-21]

Kuznetsova then lost at the China Open to Jelena Jankovic in the finals, 6-3, 6-2.

Career statistics

Record against top players

Kuznetsova, as of April 28, 2008, has a 1–6 record against Kim Clijsters [http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/playerheadtoheaddetail.asp?PlayerID=110552&x=7&y=9&Player1ID=30458] , a 2-16 record against Justine Henin [http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/playerheadtoheaddetail.asp?PlayerID=110552&x=13&y=9&Player1ID=80350] , a 4–4 record against Maria Sharapova [http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/playerheadtoheaddetail.asp?PlayerID=110552&x=13&y=9&Player1ID=310137] , a 4–4 record against Amelie Mauresmo [http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/playerheadtoheaddetail.asp?PlayerID=110552&x=13&y=9&Player1ID=130450] , a 2–2 record against Martina Hingis [http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/playerheadtoheaddetail.asp?PlayerID=110552&x=13&y=9&Player1ID=80301] , a 2–3 record against Lindsay Davenport [http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/playerheadtoheaddetail.asp?PlayerID=110552&x=13&y=9&Player1ID=40106] , a 0–1 record against Jennifer Capriati [http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/playerheadtoheaddetail.asp?PlayerID=110552&x=13&y=9&Player1ID=30200] , a 4–3 record against Venus Williams [http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/playerheadtoheaddetail.asp?PlayerID=110552&x=13&y=9&Player1ID=230220] , a 1–4 record against Serena Williams [http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/playerheadtoheaddetail.asp?PlayerID=110552&x=13&y=9&Player1ID=230234] , a 1–0 record against Mary Pierce [http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/playerheadtoheaddetail.asp?PlayerID=110552&x=13&y=9&Player1ID=160142] a 4–3 record against Jelena Jankovic [http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/playerheadtoheaddetail.asp?PlayerID=110552&x=13&y=9&Player1ID=100153] , a 3–1 record against Nadia Petrova [http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/playerheadtoheaddetail.asp?PlayerID=110552&x=13&y=9&Player1ID=160379] , a 5–4 record against Elena Dementieva [http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/playerheadtoheaddetail.asp?PlayerID=110552&x=13&y=9&Player1ID=40289] , a 2–4 record against Anastasia Myskina [http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/playerheadtoheaddetail.asp?PlayerID=110552&x=13&y=9&Player1ID=130533] , and a 1–5 record against Ana Ivanovic [http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/playerheadtoheaddetail.asp?PlayerID=110552&x=13&y=9&Player1ID=311710] .

Grand Slam finals

ingles

Win (1)

Runner-ups (5)

Runner-ups (17)

Runner-ups (15)

*2002: Japan Open Tennis Championships (with Arantxa Sanchez Vicario)
*2002: Wismilak International in Bali (with Sanchez-Vicario)
*2003: US Open (with Martina Navratilova)
*2004: Australian Open (with Elena Likhovtseva)
*2004: Dubai (with Likhovtseva)
*2004: Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California (with Likhovtseva)
*2004: Sony Ericsson Open in Miami (with Likhovtseva)
*2004: French Open (with Likhovtseva)
*2004: International Women's Open in Eastbourne, United Kingdom (with Likhovtseva)
*2004: US Open (with Likhovtseva)
*2004: Bali (with Sanchez-Vicario)
*2005: Dubai (with Alicia Molik)
*2005: Wimbledon (with Amelie Mauresmo)
*2006: Dubai (with Nadia Petrova)
*2007: Dubai (with Molik)

Performance timelines

ingles

"To prevent confusion and double counting, information in this table is updated only once a tournament or the player's participation in the tournament has concluded. This table is current through the US Open in New York City, which ended on September 6, 2008."
*Qualifying matches are included in the win-loss records.

Women's doubles

"To prevent confusion and double counting, information in this table is updated only once a tournament or the player's participation in the tournament has concluded. This table is current through the Rogers Cup in Montreal, which ended on August 2, 2008."

*A = did not participate in the tournament.
*SR = the ratio of the number of singles tournaments won to the number of those tournaments played.

See also

* Performance timelines for all female tennis players who reached at least one Grand Slam final
*List of Grand Slam Women's Singles champions

References

External links

*

Persondata
NAME = Kuznetsova, Svetlana Aleksandrovna
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Russian tennis player
DATE OF BIRTH = June 27, 1985
PLACE OF BIRTH = Leningrad, USSR
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =