BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells

Women’s Final: [8] Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) vs. [15] Elena Vesnina (RUS)

Their only encounter on hard court was won by Vesnina and that was eight years ago.  Kuznetsova won their last encounter, which was on clay; however, a few years have passed since and a lot has changed. Today’s match could have gone either way, because both players have been playing some quality tennis. Vesnina is at a career high at 15 and that has come from her hard work to get her ranking back up after injury.  It was an awesome battle between the two countrywomen, neither player was willing to concede the first set and it was only fitting it ended in a tiebreak.  Breaks were traded in the tiebreak as the nerves continued to plague both players and a little luck would give Kuznetsova the set 7-6(6).

Nerves have been a problem for Kuznetsova and the doubts crept in when she served late in the second set to keep the lead and once she was broken it was easy work for Vesnina to break again.  Could Vesnina control her nerves and serve out the second set? Both players were victims of the heat and nerves. The winner would be the one who was physically fitter and better able to control the negative effects of tension. Vesnina won the second set 7-5. The third set was won on sheer guts and determination and both players deserve a hand of applause, they both left everything on the court today, sadly there could be only one winner and that was Vesnina.  She had just a bit more in the tank physically and a bit more stoic mentally than her opponent and won it 6-7(6), 7-5, 6-4.

SOURCE OF IMAGE: Zimbio