Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova ended a four-year title drought at the WTA Tour on Sunday after beating Japan’s Kurumi Nara at the Citi Open in Washington, DC in a three-set thriller 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
Kuznetsova said that the match had a familiar scenario earlier this season in Oeiras, albeit with different result.
“It happened a little bit like this earlier in the year in Oeiras – I was up 4-1 in the third set in the final but lost the match,” Kuznetsova said. “Today when I was up I was getting tight, but in the third set I was just trying to hold my serve, and in the last game I knew I just needed four more points.”
Kuznetsova’s last title win was in San Diego back in August 2010.
“It feels like it’s been too long,” she said. “When you’ve won Grand Slams, not winning tournaments is hard, but you just keep trying your best every time you play.
“It’s always very special to win a WTA title and I’m happy I could do it again here.”
This is Kuznetsova’s 14th title of her career. Out of the 14 are two Grand Slam titles – 2004 US Open and 2009 French Open. She would also reach two other Grand Slam finals (French Open 2006 and US Open 2007).
Nara was aiming for her second career title. She won earlier this year in Rio de Janeiro.
“Svetlana was too good today, but I really enjoyed playing in Washington this year and I hope to come back again,” Nara said. “I like playing on US hardcourts and am really looking forward to playing the rest of the US Open Series this summer.”
The doubles event was won by Gabriela Dabrowski and Shuko Aoyama after they defeated Nara and Hiroko Kuwata 6-1, 6-2.
