Konta waits as Russian advances

Svetlana Kuznetsova is one win away from qualifying for the WTA Finals in Singapore after fighting her way into the final of the Kremlin Cup in Moscow yesterday.

The defending champion and top seed defeated Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina 6-1, 6-7 (2-7), 6-4 in the last four.

If she can win the event, the Russian will overtake British tennis number one Johanna Konta, who was named most improved player of the year yesterday, and claim the final spot for the season-ending eight-woman showpiece. Konta is in Singapore and has been taking part in the build-up to the event but, having been sidelined by an abdominal injury, she can do nothing but watch and wait. Caley Thistle forward Alex Fisher has plied his trade across Europe and has been impressed by the standard of football in Scotland.

Fisher watched Celtic’s Champions League draw against Manchester City last month and believes that performance will go some way towards silencing the snipers who bemoan the level of play north of the border.

The former Oxford and Torquay United centre forward had spells with Mechelen in Belgium and Monza in Italy but was frustrated by injury after playing only three matches following his January arrival at the Caledonian Stadium.

A chipped bone in an ankle ruled him out for the rest of John Hughes’ tenure as manager, while this season Fisher has been restricted to two starts.

However, there are no regrets about the move north and Fisher

“Celtic versus Manchester City was a great advert for what Scottish football can put out”

said: “I watched the Celtic versus Manchester City game and it was a great advert for what Scottish football can put out.

“I didn’t really know what to expect when I came here. Some might knock the Scottish game but I expected it to be of a good standard, so I was not too surprised. I’m enjoying what I’m part of and what I’m seeing.

“I feel I have played a reasonable level of football in the past and the Premiership was a step up. It’s nice to be challenging myself.”

Caley Jags manager Richie Foran was given a selection headache by the performance of Fisher and fellow substitutes Jake Mulraney and Aaron Doran in the 1-0 loss to Rangers last Friday.

Fisher scored a header to secure a late draw against Celtic but was frustrated he missed a difficult, but similar, chance in the defeat by Rangers.

He said: “I was fit to go from the start of the season but then I came out of the team and no one likes to be sitting on the sidelines. But the manager puts out the team he thinks will win the game and I’m just grateful to be part of the squad.