One of the best first-round matches at a Grand Slam in 2018 saw two former Major champions battle it out in the opening round of the #USOpen. Injury-riddled and the resurgent #SvetlanaKuznetsova had to enter the tournament with a wildcard, but her luck ran out when she was drawn to face two-time former champion and local favourite, 16th seed #VenusWilliams.
Such a big-name first-round gave off similar vibes as compared to last year’s first-round classic between Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep, which could be said to be the best Major opening-round encounter in history. However, despite this encounter between Kuznetsova and Williams not reaching those heights, it was a high-quality affair with the American having to battle past the stubborn Russian to grab the hard-fought three-set win.
Kuznetsova took the early lead but Williams soared back to grab the first set 6-3, before storming out to a commanding 4-1 lead in the second set to edge closer than ever to the win. Despite having countless chances to close out the win, it was the veteran Russian who came out of nowhere to level the match. A titanic final set ensued as the 16th seed finally closed out the marathon win after two hours and 55-minutes of thrilling action.
Surprisingly, it was Kuznetsova who had the better day on serve as compared to Williams. The Russian fired nine aces while Williams, known as the better server, produced eight double-faults and failed to hit an ace.
Nonetheless, it was the baseline game which mattered the most as both players lived up to the occasion and produced some lights-out tennis for the enthusiastic fans out on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Williams impressively blasted 48 winners to just 45 unforced errors but Kuznetsova also had some clean numbers; firing 40 winners and committing 38 unforced errors. Both players combined for 39 break point opportunities and the match witnessed a total of 14 breaks.
Williams overcomes a slow start to grab the first set
A quick exchange of service holds started the match but surprisingly it was Kuznetsova who earned the first breakthrough. The Russian’s backhand seemed to be firing on all cylinders as Williams could do nothing to handle that hot shot of Kuznetsova, who grabbed the first break to lead 2-1.
There were many occasions on which Williams was too overpowering and Kuznetsova was forced to retreat into her defensive zone. The former world number two was unable to convert her opportunities and wasted multiple game points to be broken straight back, handing the favour back to Williams.
Kuznetsova missed a golden opportunity to convert a break point in the fifth game — which would ultimately change the outcome of the first set. Williams claimed the confidence-boosting service hold and inconsistency started to appear in Kuznetsova’s game, serving a double-fault on a game point which proved costly.
Williams was playing some really aggressive tennis, blasting her way to a formidable 5-2 lead. However, the improbable comeback seemed on the cards as Kuznetsova earned multiple break points just when the American was attempting to serve out the set. Unexpectedly, the Russian smashed a potential clear winner straight into the net on a break point, paving the way for Williams to take the opening frame 6-3.
Kuznetsova fights back from the brink
Kuznetsova started the second set in style after rebounding from her previous disappointment, but Williams proved to be too strong once more. The American was dominating the play with her world-class net game and dictated the match there; blasting nine winners en route to claiming four consecutive games for a commanding 4-1 lead. This put Kuznetsova in a dire situation as she was a trailing by a set and a double break.
The sixth game of the second set was pivotal — it kickstarted Kuznetsova’s comeback and showcased her willpower. Williams’ forehands were too powerful but the Russian started to find life in her game; saving two game points (which would have given Williams a 5-1 lead) and retrieved one of the breaks back with a clean forehand winner.
Kuznetsova found herself in some deep trouble on many occasions, but she managed to escape from the brink every single time. Consecutive backhand errors from Williams saw her blow a huge opportunity to close out the win after having break points at 4-2 up, and instead allowed Kuznetsova to quietly creep in on the scoreboard.
Down 3-6, 3-5, 15-40, the match was all but over for the Russian. However, she came up with some of her best tennis to remain in contention. Kuznetsova served an ace before Williams misfired a forehand which made the score level at deuce. The strong serves continued coming in when it mattered for the two-time Major champion, who blasted an unreturnable serve to stay in the match.
Going all out on the second serve returns with nothing to lose, Kuznetsova saw her aggression pay off as Williams could only see consecutive winners go past her to get broken back for 5-5. Williams completely lost the plot as eight consecutive points went the way of her opponent, and within a blink of an eye she had to serve to stay in the set.
Building a 30-0 lead, Williams looked to send the set into a tiebreak but her momentum was killed by an unfortunate double-fault. Kuznetsova earned set point with a fantastic backhand winner before yet another double-fault ultimately sent the match into a decider — which basically summed up the entire match as the American was unable to capitalize her opportunities.
Williams closes out the huge win
It was a marathon game which started the third set. This time, Kuznetsova returned the favour by throwing in a double-fault on her game point before a series of errors led to Williams grabbing the opening break. The home favourite would go on to consolidate her break for an early 2-0 lead, which would eventually prove crucial as five of the first six games saw the server being broken.
Williams had the golden opportunity to close out the win while earning multiple break points at 4-2 up, but it was some nerves of steel which saw Kuznetsova serving an ace and being the aggressor to keep herself in contention, minimizing the deficit. Despite her toughest efforts, it was Williams who tightened up and closed out the terrific high-quality win with a big forehand winner after 175 minutes of play.
It was the aggressive element of Williams’ game which is the most spectacular, and she has definitely brought that out during this first-round thriller. “Obviously winning the match, I think that's what I'm most pleased with. I think I stayed pretty aggressive throughout the match, and that's how I want to play the tournament.”
The American was straight to business this time around, contrary to her infamous slow starts. “Winning matches. That's all that matters,” Williams stated during her post-match press conference.
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