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Zvonareva back to winning ways

Kalyan Ashok

— Photo: K. Gopinathan

Vera Zvonareva.

BANGALORE: Maria Kirilenko’s early exit hardly put the breaks on the Russian march in the Bangalore Open as Vera Zvonareva, who was in the world’s top 10 (at No. 9) in 2006 and 2007, made her way to the quarterfinals on Thursday beating Agnes Sztamari with her solid baseline game. However, Zvonareva was not too pleased with her win.

“I just did not like the way I went around and constructed my points, it looked pretty laborious for me and I should have hit a little more freely,” said the 24-year-old from Moscow. Zvonareva rued the fact that she put herself under pressure by trying “too hard”. “Missing three break points in the first set at 4-all and losing focus in the tie-break got me into a bit of trouble, but I am glad I came through in the tie-breaker and won the second set easily,” said Zvonareva.

She has won two career Grand Slam mixed doubles titles in 2004 and 2006 besides five career Tour titles and topped the earnings with $3 million in 2007. But just when everything seemed to fall in place, she was hit by a spate of injuries. But she came back making her first Tier I final at Doha, less than 10 days ago and lost to Maria Sharapova in three sets.

“That put the self belief back,” said Zvonareva. Zvonareva said her goal for the current season was to play as many tournaments as possible. “I want to play at least 20 events and stay injury-free. Getting back into the top-10 should happen if I turn in consistent results,” said the Russian.

Zvonareva said she hoped to give her best shot against Venus Williams in the quarterfinals. “I just hope to do my best and I guess I have nothing to lose,” said Zvonareva.

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