Repeat performance from Kuznetsova

It was deja vu for French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova yesterday at the China Open as she defeated the same opponent by the same scoreline at the same event for a second straight year.

Kuzentsova, runner-up at last year's event in Beijing, edged world No 32 and former Wimbledon semifinalist Zheng Jie 7-6 (3) 7-5, just as she did last year in the semis.

"I didn't remember the score. I didn't even remember that I played her last year. I think each match is a new match. You just have to play all over again," the 6th seed said after the first-round encounter.

"I think she is improving every time I play her," she said of her Chinese opponent.

Zheng raised local hopes on the center court at the National Tennis Center by leading 3-0 and 4-1 in both sets. However, she simply could not resist the fighting qualities and experience of the Russian world No 6.

Still, Zheng said she was happy with her effort against a player who had won their previous four encounters.

"I think my performance today was OK. I am not afraid of her as much as I used to be," the 26-year-old said.

"You know, in the first set I had set point and in both sets I was leading. I think I did a good job at the baseline," she said.

Zheng did look good from the baseline as her solid groundstrokes moved Kuznetsova from side to side. However, it was serving that made the difference as Zheng's weak efforts allowed the Russian to crawl back into the game.

"I had some problems with my serves today and that gave her a lot of chances," Zheng said.

Zheng had six double faults and no aces while Kuznetsova fired in three aces.

At one time, her coach and husband, Zhang Yu, came on to the court and told her to "serve better" but Zheng failed to follow the instruction.

"I wanted to serve well but I was a little bit nervous because my opponent was a really good receiver. She was really quick, so I wanted to get ready for the ball as quick as possible. That was why my service was not very good.

"It's definitely my biggest weakness. Height may be a reason. I've been working hard on it (serving) and am going to improve it."

While Zheng fell at the first hurdle, China's world No 228, Zhang Shuai, gave the local crowd reason to be happy by upsetting world No 39 Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic in straight sets.

The 20-year-old wild card won the match 6-4, 6-2 and became one of two Chinese players to advance yesterday. The country's world No 53, Peng Shuai, defeated Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan 6-2, 6-3 in a late match. Peng next plays defending champion Jelena Jankovic.

China's Ji Chunmei, who advanced to the main draw through the qualifiers, was stopped by Czech Luice Safarova, 6-2, 6-4. Another Chinese player, Lu Jingjing, fell to Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues in three tough sets, 3-6, 7-5, 7-5.

Zhang's hopes of advancing further appear slim as she meets top seed Dinara Safina, who defeated Roberta Vinci of Italy 6-4, 6-4, in the second round today.

It was a relief for the Russian to get past the first round here as she suffered an unexpected loss to 18-year-old Chang Kai-Chen of Chinese Taipei in the second round of the Pan Pacific Open last month.

"Last week was very disappointing for me, so when I finished the match I was really very happy to have won," Safina said.

The Russian should be fully alert against Zhang in the second round, not only because of the painful lesson she learned in Tokyo but also because every match in Beijing counts when it comes to her position in the world rankings.

The world No 1 will give up her top spot to Serena Williams if the American world No 2 has a better performance than her here.

In other action yesterday, Williams overcame sluggish mid-game form to beat Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 7-6, 6-4.

US Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark was the only seed to fall. The world No 5 was upset by Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez of Spain 5-7, 6-2, 6-0.

(China Daily 10/05/2009 page12)