• US Open, Day Eight

Wozniacki fights back to deny Kuznetsova

Caroline Wozniacki showed her class © Getty Images

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World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki saw off a strong challenge from 2004 winner Svetlana Kuznetsova to grasp a 6-7(5) 7-5 6-1 win and secure her passage through to the quarter-finals of the US Open.

Chasing her first grand slam crown, Wozniacki looked in a world of trouble after losing the opening set and the first three games of the second. However, the Dane fought her way back into the contest through playing high percentage tennis, whilst Kuznetsova wilted under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Often criticised for her lack of consistency, the Russian did her reputation no favours as she spurned a golden opportunity to oust the top seed. As the match wore on, Kuznetsova displayed a fragile state of mind and lacked any conviction on her serve.

In contrast, neither player looked likely to produce a break of serve early on, with Wozniacki having perhaps the best chance to do so at 4-3 in the first set. But she too failed to make the most of the opportunity.

Kuznetsova then made the breakthrough at 5-5 with a stinging cross-court forehand. However, in a sign of the nerves that would follow, the world No. 17 allowed Wozniacki to break to love and send the set into a tiebreaker.

The 26-year-old regrouped to take the first set and, clearly buoyed by the success, went on to take the first three games of the second set.

On the ropes, and with her grand slam hopes seemingly in tatters, Wozniacki bailed herself out with her trademark double-handed backhand, hitting countless clean winners and getting back on level terms. Four consecutive games then went against serve before Wozniacki held on to send the match into a deciding set.

It was Wozniacki at her brilliant best thereafter as she forced Kuznetsova into errors and generally wore her opponent into the Flushing Meadows hardcourt. Three breaks of serve later and the Dane emerged victorious from a three-hour marathon to march into the final eight of the tournament.

She will now take on 10th seed Andrea Petkovic for a place in the semi-finals.

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