Kuznetsova makes winning start

World number four Svetlana Kuznetsova beat fellow Russian Elena Dementieva 7-5 6-3 in the round robin stage of the WTA Championships in Madrid last night. Dementieva is now almost certain to exit the tournament after losing to the in-form Maria...

World number four Svetlana Kuznetsova beat fellow Russian Elena Dementieva 7-5 6-3 in the round robin stage of the WTA Championships in Madrid last night.

Dementieva is now almost certain to exit the tournament after losing to the in-form Maria Sharapova in her opening match on Tuesday.

Both players struggled on their own serves in the first set but Kuznetsova finally gained the edge to take the set 7-5.

Kuznetsova continued to make the running in the second set, breaking in the second game and then serving out to take the match.

Other result: Sharapova beat Clijsters 6-4 6-4.

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