Wozniacki thwarts the Russian challenge to reach quarterfinals at US Open

World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki made a brilliant comeback from a set deficit to beat the feisty Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in three gruelling sets with a 6-7(7) 7-5 6-1 scoreline to secure her berth in the quarterfinals of the 2011 US Open.

2004 US Open champ, Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia looked in a fabulous touch till the second-game of the second-set and it was World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki afterwards, who ruled the roost and earned a well-deserved 6-7(7) 7-5 6-1 victory over the Russian to secure her berth in the last eight of the 2011 US Open.

In her quest to claim maiden Grand Slam title, top-seed Wozniacki finished this duel in 3 hours and 2 minutes. Wozniacki earned 72% points on her first serve with the help of 20 winners. Kuznetsova hammered 40 massive winners, but all her efforts were spoiled by 78 unforced errors, which made it difficult for her to make a comeback in the final set, where she looked completely bogged down under pressure. In the end, the top-seed converted 9 out of 17 break points to sail through. In the quarterfinal, Wozniacki will take on World No. 11 Andrea Petkovic of Germany, who eased past Carla Suareznavarro of Spain in straight sets with a 6-1 6-4 scoreline.

Kuznetsova took 75 minutes to win the first set in a tie-breaker. Both the contenders exchanged breaks early on and it reached the tie-breaker, which was won by the Russian, who earned 57% points on her first serve and hammered 14 winners. Wozniacki had a few good opportunities, but she failed to make the most of them.

The World No. 1 handled the Russian onslaught very well and won the second-set in 66 minutes of play. Interestingly, Wozniacki committed only 3 unforced errors in the second-set, as compared to Kuznetsova's 29, but still the Russian made the World No. 1 to work hard for every point, as she smacked 18 massive winners. Wozniacki converted 3 out of 4 break points to win the second-set. It was a one-way traffic in the final set, as Kuznetsova could win a single match in the final set and lost the contest.