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SINGAPORE. — Svetlana Kuznetsova claimed her second titanic victory in a row when the Russian outlasted Karolina Pliskova 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(6) in a thrilling White Group tennis encounter at the WTA Finals yesterday.After battling toe-to-toe for two hours and 17 minutes, Kuznetsova collapsed in a heap on the court after sealing victory on her fourth match point with a backhand winner down the line to finally break the Czech’s resistance.

“With all the support of the crowd and my team, I couldn’t afford to let myself and everybody down so I had to fight,” twice grand slam winner Kuznetsova said. “I haven’t been at my best in recent years but something changed this year . . . I enjoy my game, ‘‘I enjoy the crowd and I feel blessed to be playing the best players in the world.”

Kuznetsova was the final qualifier for the elite eight-woman event when she defended her Kremlin Cup title on Saturday and the world number nine has shown incredible staying power to first outlast Agnieszka Radwanska on Monday and now Pliskova.

The victory puts Kuznetsova on the brink of sealing a semi-final spot at the year-end championships for a first time in six attempts, with her berth assured if Radwanska beats French Open champion Garbine Muguruza in late yesterday’s second match.

Pliskova started confidently, pushing her opponent around the court with her booming forehand and holding comfortably despite struggling to find her range with the first serve, the Czech edging ahead first with a break in the fourth game.

As was the case in her win over Agneiszka Radwanska, Kuznetsova grew into the match after a slow start and grabbed her first break in the seventh game but the Czech struck back immediately to regain the initiative. — Reuters.