Kuznetsova to meet Keys in Cincinnati final

Contesting only her ninth tournament of 2019, Svetlana Kuznetsova continued her vintage form to reach the Cincinnati final, while power tennis earned Madison Keys the opportunity to claim her second title this year.

Kuznetsova has now accounted for three top-10 seeds – Sloane Stephens, Karolina Pliskova and Barty – to reach the 42^nd professional final of her career.

Ranked world No.153 and requiring a wildcard to enter Cincinnati, the veteran Russian attributed an intuitive approach to her successful week.

“I’m really happy,” Kuznetsova said, in her post-match press conference. “I’m not really an analysing person, but somehow, like, on my intuition, I’m doing so much better, not repeating so many of my mistakes.

“Just playing smarter and wiser now. At (age) 34 I should start, I think.”

Denying Ash Barty the chance to regain the world No.1 ranking with 6-2 6-4 victory in the semifinals, Kuznetsova staged an early turnaround after Barty claimed the first two games of the match.

From there, the Russian’s rhythm was quickly established. Winning eight straight games as she took the first set in 29 minutes and took a 2-0 lead I the second, Kuznetsova secured the win in just over an hour.

Too good today, @SvetlanaK27. Hopefully the first of a few battles ???????? Thank you Cincy! pic.twitter.com/Vb9ltrVxDw

— Ash Barty (@ashbar96) August 17, 2019

Unable to defend the most recent career title she’d claimed in Washington last year due to visa issues, Kuznetsova alluded to the unintended break as a blessing in disguise.

“Maybe one week or two weeks helped me back home,” said the two-time Grand Slam champion and former world No.2.

“Something important happened in my life and now I feel better.”

Keys, the 2017 US Open runner-up, hit 41 winners to defeat countrywoman Sofia Kenin 7-5 5-4 and Kuznetsova denied Ash Barty the chance to return to the world No.1 ranking with a straight-sets win.

There were also 14 aces for Keys as she staved off a determined challenge from the fast-improving Kenin, who recovered from a 2-5 first set deficit and saved a set point to level at 5-5.

Keys maintained composure to win the set in 43 minutes and recovered from twice being a service break down in the second, claiming the last three games to secure her win.

The 18^th-ranked Keys is aiming to add to her most recent title in Charleston in April to lift her fifth WTA trophy overall.

UNBELIEVABLE shot from Madison Keys to set up her match points.

Two points later, GSM.

Keys vs. Kuznetsova on Sunday @CincyTennis. https://t.co/bW1S3iWgSR

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) August 17, 2019