Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research

At the outset, Azarenka of Belarus, who upset No. 16 Martina Hingis in round three, had trouble staying consistent and was unable to put together any sort of an aggressive game.

The wind, which gusted strongly, was a hindrance to both players, both on serve and on certain strokes.

A business-like Kuznetsova, who was the first-ever Russian woman to win the US Open title, was back on Center Court for the second time this tournament and looked solid on her shots, hardly giving up a point, as she went up, 5-0. But, Azarenka hung in and, with a deft drop shot followed by a Kuznetsova misfire into the net, she won her first game, sarcastically raising her arms in victory.

Kuznetsova easily won the first set, turning to look at her supporters in her family box, clenching her fists before jogging back to her chair for the changeover.

The 18-year-old Azarenka seemed to find her footing and get more into a rhythm, ultimately getting her first break in the top of the second set. Now it was Kuznetsova’s turn to be back on her heels. But she soon stepped up her game, as her opponent continued to become more and more visibly animated with each winning point.

As the match wore on, Kuznetsova’s experience came even more into play. The 22-year-old was able to keep her focus, while Azarenka at points seem to waver. Azarenka challenged twice, winning one and losing one. Her second challenge was pivotal, as it won her the game to pull even at 3-3 in the second set.

But it was not Azarenka’s day. Although it took five attempts (on one she double-faulted and could only laugh), Kuznetsova finally came away with the win, moving on to the quarterfinal for the first time since her 2004 championship. She will next take on unseeded Agnes Szavay, currently ranked No. 31 in the world, who in the third round upset No. 7 seed Nadia Petrova.

-  This is the first time that Kuznetsova, from Russia, and Azarenka, from Belarus, have faced each other in competition.
 
-  Kuznetsova has now played in six consecutive US Opens.  
 
-  Kuznetsova has one tour win this year -- at the Pilot Pen in New Haven in August.
 
-  Azarenka was playing in her second US Open. She exited after the third round last year.
 
-  Kuznetsova has lost only one set thus far in the tournament -- in the second round to Camille Pin of France.

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/match_reports/2007-09-03/200709031188850838671.html