Tennis: Zheng sets up Pennetta showdown

Zheng Jie beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the semi-finals of the Auckland Classic

WELLINGTON: Unseeded Zheng Jie recovered from a set down to beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the semi-finals of the Auckland Classic and set up a showdown with Italy's Flavia Pennetta. Meanwhile, fourth-seed Pennetta waltzed into the final with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Germany's Angelique Kerber. World number 19 Kuznetsova was expected to join her, having dropped only one set in six previous clashes with Zheng. However, she fell apart after the first set as Zheng secured a morale-boosting win.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2012.