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(Sports)Kuznetsova stuns defending champion Radwanska, Pliskova defeats Muguruza in a thrilling match

Xinhua, October 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

The round-robin stage of WTA Finals continued Monday night. Russia's player Svetlana Kuznetsova produced a stunning comeback to upset defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska,

Meanwhile, Czech Republic's player Karolina Pliskova saved match point to defeat Garbiñe Muguruza in another thrilling match.

As Kuznetsova only secured her place in Singapore with victory in Moscow final on Oct. 22, there was a lot of focus on the fatigue issues for the 31-year-old Russian. However, Kuznetsova quickly got used to the court at Singapore Indoor Stadium, and started brightly as she rallied from 1-4 down to take the first set 7-5.

The Polish star Radwanska dominated the second set 6-1, but Kuznetsova showed a comeback after she cut off a part of her hair on court in the final set. Kuznetsova pulled level to 4-4, then saved a match point, and finally won 7-5.

"I was trying to stay and hang in there and play every point. I tried to keep things simple because it was quite difficult. Things were not working very well for me because it's my first time here in Singapore," said Kuznetsova after the match.

The other match between No. 4 seed Karolina Pliskova and Roland Garros champion Garbiñe Muguruza was also a tight one.

Pliskova, who made her debut on Monday, crushed the Spanish in the first set, but competition in second set got much fierce. Muguruza roared back, and fired a warning shot at her opponent.

Muguruza threw in some more variety in the last set and a half, consolidating the break. However, Pliskova stopped the run of games to the Spaniard following the advice of "make time for yourself" from her coach.

The Czech finally saved match point to defeat Muguruza 6-2, 6-7(4), 7-5 to move to 1-0 in the White Group. Pliskova told the press that it was really tough for her.

"I was just somehow trying to hold close to her and waiting for my chance, and I got few chances. Really wasn't easy," said Pliskova, "all the games are pretty close in the third set...so really tough match today and really happy to be through."

While Muguruza responded that nothing really happened at the press conference after the match. She thought both Pliskova and her were playing good.

"I was trying to improve during the match more and more, so I did it. Obviously I had my opportunities at the match point; didn't play the best I think on that point. I think I could have played better," the Spaniard added. Endit