Women Tennis Update – Oeiras Monday April 29 2013

Written by: Staff on 29th April 2013

Sony Open tennis tournament on Key Biscayne, Florida

Women Tennis Update - Oeiras Monday April 29 2013

epa03639728 Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia returns a ball to Ana Ivanovic of Serbia during their third round match at the Sony Open tennis tournament in Miami, Florida, USA, 24 March 2013. Ivanovic defeated Kuznetsova. EPA/ERIK S. LESSER |

OEIRAS

Svetlana Kuznetsova made her first appearance in Portugal in 11 years, after a 2002 qualifying loss, working for two and a half hours to defeat American sixth seed Varvara Lepchenko 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-2. Kuznetsova, ranked 45th after knee injury troubles last season which derailed her game, wondered what had kept her away for so long.

“It was my mistake not to enter the tournament and I really appreciate the tournament giving me a chance to play,” said the 27-year-old wild card. “Conditions out there were very tough and it wasn’t easy to play. I tried to keep going, keep pushing, and in the end it went my way, so I was happy with that.” Kuznetsova advanced with six aces and and six breaks of her opponent.

Elsewhere on a windy, cold day, fourth seed Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain started with a defeat of New Zealand’s Marina Erakovic 6-3, 6-0 while number seven Elena Vesnina of Russia put out Maria Joao Koehler of Portugal 6-4, 6-1

2009 winner Yanina Wickmayer advanced over Georgian Anna Tatishvili 6-1, 7-5 and Japan’s Ayumi Morita spoiled the debut of Laura Robson 6-2, 7-5 leaving the British teenager without a WTA win since a month ago. Romanian fifth seed Sorona Cirstea beat Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-2, 2-6. 6-1.

©Daily tennis news wire

Topics: Anabel Medina Garrigues, Ayumi Morita, Georgian Anna Tatishvili, Laura Robson, Oeiras, Sorona Cirstea, Sports, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Tennis, Tennis News, Varvara Lepchenko, Women tenis news, Yanina Wickmayer