Maria's Comeback Continues to the Semis
Maria is through to the semis at the WTA Tour Championships in Madrid, Spain as she defeated world #2 Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia 5-7 6-2 6-2 in 2 hours and 7 minutes. On Friday, it will be decided if Maria finishes 1st or 2nd in the group as she has 1 more match left to play. Since making her debut at this tournament in 2004, Maria has reached the semis at least every year. In the 1st set Kuznetsova broke early to lead 2-0 but Maria broke straight back with a wonderful cross-court backhand on the return of serve that forces Kuznetsova into error. The next 9 games were all comfortable holds of serve until Kuznetsova broke Maria serve to take the set 7-5 in 51 minutes. Maria broke Kuznetsova's serve to lead 3-2 in the 2nd set when she hit a backhand into the corner after Kuznetsova slipped. Maria was handed another break when Kuznetsova double-faulted and won the set 6-2 thanks to a huge first serve that sets up a big forehand winner on the approach. Maria got the decisive break in the 3rd set when she broke to lead 3-2 with an excellent return winner and another break to lead 5-2 after Kuznetsova hit the ball into the net. Maria served for the match and won it when Kuznetsova dumped a ball into the net. Even though Maria is through to the semis, she has 1 more match to play in the red group on Friday. Maria will play Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, both players are unbeaten here and the head-to-head is 1-2. This match will decide who will finish the group on top.
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