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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