DOHA, 7 March 2004 — Russia’s Anastasia Myskina retained her Qatar Open title yesterday, defeating compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a 101-minute final. It was 18-year-old Kuznetsova’s second defeat in a final in the space of a week following her loss to world number one Justine Henin-Hardenne last Saturday in the Dubai Open.
The powerful Kuznetsova, who avenged herself on Henin-Hardenne in the semifinals here, won the first set on Saturday in 35 minutes but failed to follow through. Myskina made the most of her opponent’s flaws to wriggle out of some tight situations.
Kuznetsova’s customary flair, fluidity and skill began to desert her in a series of unforced errors, particularly with overhead smashes from the mid-court.
Third-seed Myskina broke Kuznetsova in the third and fifth games of the second set. Kuznetsova broke back in the eighth and held her serve in the ninth, but Myskina served out for the set. At the most critical point in the decider, Myskina broke her younger compatriot to take a 5-4 lead when Kuznetsova netted another overhead smash. Myskina, cool and composed, served out for the match and the winner’s check of $94,000.
Myskina, 22, said: “When a Russian plays a Russian it is more of a mental game. It was a tough match, mentally quite demanding. That’s why I was nervous in the first set. I didn’t play well early in the match. I told myself to stay calm and be positive and I am happy with the way I played in the second and third sets.”
Kuznetsova agreed: “I have found playing against a Russian quite tough. I didn’t play as well as I did against Henin-Hardenne.”
Federer to Meet Lopez in Dubai Final
Roger Federer fought off three set points before beating Finnish left-hander Jarkko Nieminen 7-6, 6-2 yesterday and booking a place in the Dubai Open final against unseeded Spaniard Feliciano Lopez. The left-handed Lopez beat Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, earlier to reach his first ATP final.
“He deserved the first set. He was the better player,” said Federer. “I’m almost happy I’m playing a lefty again tomorrow because to change those spins all the time is not so easy. I’m really not used to it and there aren’t many around, and we could see clearly that I was struggling.”
Federer will now meet Lopez, who beat Youzhny in an even match. Just one break of serve decided each set, with Lopez breaking for 2-1 in the first when Youzhny netted a backhand while the Russian broke in the final game of the second set to level the match. The deciding set was also evenly balanced, with both players holding off early break points.
Roddick Reaches Semis on Day of Double Duty
In Scottsdale, top seed Andy Roddick came through with flying colors on a long day of double duty on Friday, downing Jan Michael Gambill 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 to reach the semifinals of the Scottsdale Open. Roddick’s triumph was his second win of the day. Due to a washout on Thursday, he had played his second round match earlier on Friday morning, beating Alex Bogomolov 6-4, 6-3.
Roddick will play fourth-seeded fellow American Vincent Spadea next. Spadea overcame compatriot and sixth seed James Blake 6-4, 2-6, 7-5. But second seed Martin Verkerk wasn’t as fortunate, upset by Victor Hanescu of Romania 7-5, 6-4. Hanescu will face seventh seed Nicolas Kiefer of Germany, who upended third seed Robby Ginepri of the 6-3, 7-6 (8-6).
Verkerk began the day with a tough 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 win over American Cecil Mamitt, while his quarter-final opponent Hanescu defeated Robin Soderling 6-3, 6-7, 6-3.
The match between the 6ft 5ins (1.956 meter) Verkerk and the 6ft 6ins (1.981 meter) Hanescu never lacked in power, but it was the 22-year-old Hanescu who mixed in finesse and some ambitious net charges late in the second set to pull off the victory.
