Kuznetsova wins Wismilak tennis in Nusa Dua Bali

Svetlana Kuznetsova from Russia won her third Wismilak tennis tournament in Nusa Dua on sunday. I got a call from a friend asking if I wanted to sneak in at the last moment, but already had plans. Great to see Bali on the map for international sporting events. Here’s more from the Jakarta Post.

NUSA DUA, Bali (AP): Top-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova overcame a slow start Saturday to beat Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli 7-5, 6-2 for her third Wismilak International title.

Kuznetsova and sixth-seeded Bartoli were neck-and-neck throughout the first set, but the Russian drew away midway through the second to close out her 51st season singles win in one hour and 39 minutes.

Kuznetsova, who won the Wismilak title in 2002 and 2004, earned her finals spot after grinding out a 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) win over defending champion Lindsay Davenport on Saturday.