Svetlana Kuznetsova will take on Shuai Peng of China in the second round of the ongoing US Open.
Kuznetsova has made her way into the second round with an easy win over the local girl Mallory Burdette. She outclassed the American youngster in just 92 minutes.
The last few months have been pretty tough for Kuznetsova. She was looking in good form in the French Open and had reached the final 8 stage, but, she got beaten by Serena Williams there.
Thereafter, she picked up an injury and couldn’t take part in the Wimbledon Championships. She got recovered in a few weeks though and made her comeback by playing in a couple of hard court tournaments prior to the US Open, but, she couldn’t do well in either of them.
Kuznetsova’s opponent Peng has also not been in the greatest of forms off late. She had reached the title round in the Brussels Open which was played towards the end of May, but, after that tournament, her form dipped down.
In the opening round here at Flushing Meadows, Peng was up against Yvonne Meusburger of Austria and she got better of her with ease. She served brilliantly and was solid from baseline too.
Peng would know that she has a great chance of upsetting Kuznetsova here as the Russian player isn’t at her peak at the moment.
These two players have faced each other 5 times before and Kuznetsova has a lead of 3-2. But, the last couple of matches between these two have been won by Peng and the Chinese player can take heart from that.
It would be a tight contest as there is no lack of potential in either of these two players. Kuznetsova might be the favourite due to her experience, but, she will have to play really well to make it to the third round.