Kuznetsova ends Barty’s bid to reclaim No. 1 spot
cincinnati — Resurgent Svetlana Kuznetsova denied Ashleigh Barty a chance to reclaim the world number one ranking on Saturday as the Russian veteran thrashed the Australian 6-2, 6-4 in the WTA Cincinnati Masters semifinals.
Barty could have re-taken the top ranking she lost last week to Japan’s Naomi Osaka had she reached the final.
The shutdown triumph by the 34-year-old double Grand Slam winner leaves injured Osaka atop the rankings.
Kuznetsova will play for the title on Sunday against the winner of a later semifinal between Americans Sofia Kenin and Madison Keys.
Barty, who had rallied from a set down to win her previous two matches, was off the boil against Kuznetsova, who is back on form after several seasons of injuries, including a wrist problem.
Kuznetsova was delayed in her hardcourt summer start due to US visa problems, but won two rounds last week in Canada before getting her American entry sorted. Kuznetsova, who trained as a teen in Barcelona, has returned to her Spanish tennis roots, re-hiring former coach Carlos Martinez, who has also worked with Spaniards Feliciano Lopez, Fernando Vicente and Rafael Nadal’s occasional doubles partner Marc Lopez. Martinez coached Kuznetsova to 2016 titles Sydney and Moscow, which earned her a place in the year-end finals three years ago, and she remains pleased with the results. “It’s amazing to be playing here again on center court after the injuries of the last few years,” she said.
Kuznetsova, bidding for her 19th career title, now stands 15-8 in Cincinnati, the final major tuneup for the Open. —