In the first set of matches on day 2 of the 2014 US Open, Svetlana Kuznetsova became the highest seeded casualty in the women’s draw so far.  She was defeated by Marina Erakovic, 3-6 6-2 7-6(3) on court 5.  I expected this to be a horrible match when I started watching at the end of the second set, but it wasn’t actually that bad and both played reasonably well.  As with any match featuring Svetlana, this could have been so different.  Kuznetsova led 2-0* in the decider, served for the match at *5-4 and had break points at 5-5*…

Credit must go to Erakovic, who was surprisingly solid at the end of this match.  She’s well known for being pretty shaky at the crucial moments of matches.  Her collapse against Laura Robson at Wimbledon last year was not fun to watch.  When Kuznetsova was broken serving for the match, it was more about Erakovic raising her level rather than Kuznetsova playing terribly, although the Russian player was starting to roll her second serve into play.  Erakovic missed practically all of her first serves at 5-5 in the decider, but it was her forehand that saved her.

Kuznetsova forced the deciding set tiebreak, but it was Erakovic who was the steadier of the two at the end.  Kuznetsova double faulted on match point, which was very unfortunate.  I had Kuznetsova to reach the semi-finals… I’m sorry Svetlana for dooming you with my prediction.  She had been playing pretty well in the US Open warm-up events, but will always remain vulnerable against pretty much anyone on tour and particularly in these early rounds of Slams.   The loss of Kuznetsova opens up Victoria Azarenka‘s section of the draw, assuming she is fully fit to compete.  If Vika goes out early, this section of the draw turns into mulch…