- News>
- Tennis
Venus crashes to earth in shock defeat to Russian teen in Dubai Open
Dubai, Feb 27: Venus Williams knocked out in Dubai quarters.
Dubai, Feb 27: Venus Williams knocked out in Dubai quarters.
Venus Williams's disappointing start to the year continued on Thursday (February 26) when she suffered a 6-2 6-3 defeat by Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Open. Kuznetsova will meet Japan's Ai Sugiyama, who beat Greece's Eleni Daniilidou 6-1 6-3, in the other semi-final. Second seed Williams was absent from the tour after Wimbledon because of injury and has struggled since returning at the Australian Open. She lost there to compatriot Lisa Raymond in the third round, and then won just one match in Tokyo before defaulting her quarter-final because of a knee injury.
Kuznetsova, 18, used a big forehand, solid serve and strong groundstrokes to keep the American under pressure, and after dropping her serve in the opening game looked the more solid player.
Williams showed a few glimpses of her ferocious groundstrokes, notably when she held serve to love after falling behind a set and 3-0.
The American briefly threatened a comeback, pulling back to 2-3, but further breaks of serve left Kuznetsova serving for the biggest victory of her young career.
Williams has won just four matches in three tournaments this year. She expects to be back to her peak when she plays at the Nasdaq Open in Miami starting on March 22.
Bureau Report
Venus Williams's disappointing start to the year continued on Thursday (February 26) when she suffered a 6-2 6-3 defeat by Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Open. Kuznetsova will meet Japan's Ai Sugiyama, who beat Greece's Eleni Daniilidou 6-1 6-3, in the other semi-final. Second seed Williams was absent from the tour after Wimbledon because of injury and has struggled since returning at the Australian Open. She lost there to compatriot Lisa Raymond in the third round, and then won just one match in Tokyo before defaulting her quarter-final because of a knee injury.
Kuznetsova, 18, used a big forehand, solid serve and strong groundstrokes to keep the American under pressure, and after dropping her serve in the opening game looked the more solid player.
Williams showed a few glimpses of her ferocious groundstrokes, notably when she held serve to love after falling behind a set and 3-0.
The American briefly threatened a comeback, pulling back to 2-3, but further breaks of serve left Kuznetsova serving for the biggest victory of her young career.
Williams has won just four matches in three tournaments this year. She expects to be back to her peak when she plays at the Nasdaq Open in Miami starting on March 22.
Bureau Report