Svetlana Kuznetsova to be a part of the qualifying squad at Sydney – Tennis News
Former world number two, Svetlana Kuznetsova, who was sidelined by a chronic injury after the first round exit at Wimbledon is scheduled to headline the qualifying squad of the Apia International Sydney. She wouldn’t be the lone
former elite ranked player in that draw; likes of Sabine Lisicki and Christina McHale will also be amongst the 32-player draw that will fight for the four specified qualifier spots in the main round.
Qualifying round will commence from the 4th January at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre and the successful four qualifiers will be confirmed by the eve of Saturday (5th January). The 27-year-old Russian won
the US Open way back in 2004 and clinched her second Grand Slam title at the Roland Garros French Open in 2009. However, she stumbled apart to the 71st spot in the world rankings due to an injury-stricken season. Kuznetsova also reached the final
of the tournament in Sydney in 2008 but couldn’t beat the-then world number one, Justin Henin, in an epic three-setter.
The qualifying stage of the tournament will feature some of the young guns as well. A lot of expectations are tied with the Czech twins, Kristyna Pliskova and Karolina Pliskova, who showed immense ability to reach the advanced
stage of the Premier tournaments of Women Tennis Association in 2012. They are just 20-year-old and expected to reach at least the final qualifying round of the event.
Moreover, the experience of in-form Kimiko Date-Krumm and the local athlete Casey Dellacqua can also come into play. Melanie Oudin who has is a former US Open quarter-finalist will also be the part of the draw.
The Tournament Director Craig Watson stated, “Having such talented and accomplished players including Kuznetsova, Lisicki, McHale and Oudin as part of our qualifying draw highlights the strength of the Sydney field this year. There
will be some great tennis action during qualifying January 4th and 5th as 29 top 100 players compete for coveted main draw spots.”
Kuznetsova, McHale and Lisicki are the Top-3 chosen picks to book a berth in the main round of the event. However, the draw is so tough that any of them can easily fall victim to an upset.
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