Sunday, September 28, 2008

Jankovic wins China Open



Throughout their final in Beijing today, Jelena Jankovic looked focused and sharp, and Svetlana Kuznetsova--as is so often the case these days--looked sluggish and somewhat dazed.

Not that Kuznetsova didn't have some fine moments--she is such a good player that it is impossible for her not to have some. But she was unable to deal with Jankovic's almost frenetic drawing her from side to side, and her relentless returning of shots that lesser players would have tossed into the net or outside the lines.

I wrote recently about Patty Schnyder's recent poor record in finals. Kuznetsova's is even worse, with only one win in the last ten. She recently parted from her longtime coach and will now be coached by Olga Morozova. Perhaps having a new coach will help her out of what is now a serious rut.

Jankovic def. Kuznetsova, 6-3, 6-2

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