Kuznetsova finally converts on fifth final: The final match-up saw hard-hitting Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova against, the surprise package from Hungary,Agnes Szavay. Szavay reached the final with impressive wins over Daniela Hantuchova (2), Alona Bondarenko (8) and Eleni Daniilidou - she also came through qualifying.

Kuznetsova reached the final after Francesca Schiavone and Elena Dementieva (6) retired. She made her debut last year as she reached the semi-final before losing to the eventual champion Justine Henin, while Szavay was making her debut. This was their first meeting.  

Both went for their shots, through the whole set. Szavay's backhand was scoring her points from all over the court, while Kuznetsova solid baseline play kept the power and tension high. The confidence of Szavay took her to a whole new level, as she went for her winners, with great success.

'At 3-0 down Szavay broke down into tears and couldn't continue. Kuznetsova took the match 4-6, 3-0 and with it her first title of the year'


Szavay broke the Russian to go up 3-2, the vital brake held strong through the first set as the Hungarian came through, 6-4. But at 4-3 up Szavay was hit with a back problem. At first it didn't show, but it got more obvious in the second set. At 3-0 down Szavay broke down into tears and couldn't continue. Kuznetsova took the match 4-6, 3-0 and with it her first title of the year.   

Kuznetsova was also upset about the injury: "I really feel sorry for her. The US Open is coming and it's an important tournament and she's playing very well. Hopefully she can recover." Szavay expressed her pain: "Every point it was getting worse and it was just really painful."

All Russian affair: The semi-final match-up of Kuznetsova and Elena Dementieva was going to be a thrilling fight. Svetlana was looking to increase their head-to-head to 5-3, as well as getting three consecutive wins against her.

The first set was full of power and tension. Dementieva was serving great, she hardly lost any points on her first serve and executed her shots with heart and soul. Dementieva grabbed the vital brake and served for the set. At 40-0 could it be possible, going through a whole set and serving like a top-five player. But it was too good to be true as Dementieva lost all three set points, two of them on double faults. But the fighting qualities of Dementieva gave her a fourth set point which she converted on, wrapping up the first set 6-4.

Kuznetsova couldn't take the easy points, she seemed to have up and down phases through the first set. It continued to the second set, as Dementieva broke, only to be broken back. Despite getting a time warning, Kuznetsova leveled the match at 4-6, 6-3. At 0-3 Dementieva was really feeling the heat, she couldn't carry on and retired with nausea. Dementieva shook Kuznetsova's hand and said, "I feel like throwing up." Kuznetsova replied "OK, so go away from me."  

Daniilidou (8) had a good week, as she reached the semis; Dementieva's great serving looks promising for the Open; Szavay took her first top-10 win over Hantuchova, she also looks great coming in the Open. Kuznetsova highlights the tournament, as she finally took her first title of 2007.