Kuznetsova makes winning start in Madrid

MADRID, Nov 8 (Reuters) World number four Svetlana Kuznetsova beat fellow Russian Elena Dementieva 7-5 6-3 in the round robin stage of the WTA Championships today.

Dementieva is now almost certain to exit the tournament after losing to the in-form Maria Sharapova in her opening match yesterday.

Both players struggled on their own serves in the first set, exchanging two breaks apiece, but Kuznetsova finally gained the edge by cracking the Dementieva service in the 12th to take the set 7-5.

Kuznetsova, who is three places higher in the rankings than her compatriot, continued to make the running in the second set, breaking in the second game on her way to a 4-1 lead and then serving out to take the match.

Sharapova, who along with Justine Henin-Hardenne and Amelie Mauresmo is bidding to wrap up the end-of-year number one spot, will have the chance to take another stride towards the semis when she plays Kim Clijsters later today.

Martina Hingis, who won the Championships in 1998 and 2000, will be looking to bounce back from her opening day defeat to Henin-Hardenne when she meets Nadia Petrova.

The Russian was a straight sets winner over world number one and 2005 champion Mauresmo who looked rusty after returning to action following a 10-day lay-off with a shoulder injury.

REUTERS DH BST0137