MELBOURNE - US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova continued the Russian charge through the Australian Open draw when she downed tenacious compatriot Vera Douchevina 6-4 6-2 on Sunday to reach the quarter-finals.
Unseeded Douchevina put up a tremendous fight in her first appearance in the fourth round of a grand slam but the fifth seed had too much experience and closed out the match after 68 minutes on Rod Laver Arena centre court.
Kuznetsova looked set for an easy day when she broke 18-year-old Douchevina's serve in the third game of the first set for a 2-1 lead.
However, Douchevina, who upset ninth seed Vera Zvonareva in the second round, broke straight back to level the set.
Kuznetsova regained the advantage in Douchevina's next service game and grimly held on to take the set.
Douchevina surrendered her own serve again in the opening game of the second set but she refused to give up and broke back immediately when Kuznetsova served two double faults.
Kuznetsova, 19, finally took control in the fifth game when Douchevina served a double fault of her own on break point.
Kuznetsova and Douchevina were among seven Russian women to reach the fourth round in Melbourne, a record for the country at grand slam events in the Open era.
The US Open champion has also had to shrug off a doping row which marred the start of her campaign and will likely face another compatriot in the quarter-finals.
She will play the winner of another fourth round match between fourth seed and Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova and 15th seed Silvia Farina Elia of Italy.
- REUTERS
Tennis: Kuznetsova continues Russian charge
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