Vesnina beats Kuznetsova to win BNP Paribas Open
NAN-S
Draw
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, March 19, 2017 (NAN) Russia’s Elena Vesnina staged a remarkable comeback to beat fellow Russian, Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-7 (6-8) 7-5 6-4 in a thrilling BNP Paribas Open final on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that eighth seed Kuznetsova edged Vesnina in a marathon first set lasting 71 minutes by winning a tie-break at Indian Wells.
Vesnina, the 14th seed, trailed 4-1 in the second set before winning four games in a row to force a deciding set.
She trailed 4-2 in that set but again won four successive games to win a match lasting just over three hours.
Vesnina, 30, was playing in her first final at a ‘Premier Mandatory’ event – those at Indian Wells, Key Biscayne, Madrid, and Beijing.
Kuznetsova, runner-up in 2007 and 2008, has now lost three finals at Indian Wells. (NAN)
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