Kuznetsova stands tall over Japanese opponent

DENPASAR, Indonesia, Sep 13 (Reuters) Svetlana Kuznetsova began her quest for a third Bali International title today with a comprehensive 6-1 6-2 defeat of 18-year-old Erika Takao of Japan.

The top seeded Russian, who claimed the title in 2002 and 2004, found it difficult at times against an unfamiliar opponent ranked 152 in the rankings.

''I'm happy I won 6-1 6-2 but I could have made it easier I think,'' Kuznetsova told reporters. ''I prefer to play players who I at least know their face and a little bit of their game.

''It was pretty tough to adjust my game to hers because she was someone I've never played before and never seen before.'' Takao struggled with her serve, especially in the first set, and Kuznetsova broke to lead 2-1 on her opponent's fourth double-fault. A crosscourt forehand winner gave the Russian a second break for 4-1, and she broke again for the set with a return off a second serve.

Although Takao rallied well, a sixth double-fault allowed Kuznetsova to break again for 3-1 in the second set, and Kuznetsova closed out the match with a further break at 5-2.

Kuznetsova faced a novel problem during the match, saying she struggled to even see her opponent who stands at just 1.52m (5'0'').

''I didn't know what to expect from her,'' Kuznetsova said.

''At the start I was like, hello. But I think she's a very good player for her height, and it's tough because she runs a lot behind the baseline and I barely see where she is.

''With all respect to her she moves pretty well. I was hitting the ball to the side and she was always there. Her footwork is very good.'' Sixth seed Marion Bartoli of France also reached the quarter-finals, beating Australia's Casey Dellacqua 6-1 6-3 and Melinda Czink followed up her defeat of fifth seed Daniela Hantuchova by dismissing Indonesia's Angelique Widjaja 7-6 6-1.

REUTERS AY HS1852