There's a new element which is slowly creeping into Svetlana Kuznetsova's game, and the Russian teenager is well aware that she is making all the difference as she targets her "biggest final" tonight.
"Against Venus Williams, I played my best. But it had a lot to do with the extra serve-and-volley that I am presently doing on court," Kuznetsova admitted following her 6-0, 7-5 upset win over fifth seed and World No.8 Ai Sugiyama of Japan on centre court yesterday.
"I will play more of serve and volley as I love to do it. It's something so different on court and people enjoy a serve-and-volley game," Kuznetsova beamed.
"Everyone plays from the baseline. But playing serve-and-volley can surprise your opponent and you can keep them guessing on your next move," the Russian teenager stated.
In addition to the surprise element, the addition of the serve-and-volley to her armoury of strokes gives Kuznetsova the extra edge.
"It's a bonus to my game and I think I will use it more," Kuznetsova added.
Last year was the first appearance for Kuznetsova in Dubai, where she defeated Iva Majoli in the opening round only to fall to Jennifer Capriati in the next.
But this year has been quite good for the 2001 ITF Junior Girls Singles World Champion after she started with a quarterfinal appearance at the Gold Coast Open.
However, she made amends there as she claimed the doubles title with Likhovtseva as the No.1 seeds.
Tonight's final against top seed and World No.1 Justine Henin-Hardenne will be special for Kuznetsova as she lost to the Belgian ace and eventual champion in the third round of the Australian Open.
"I just did not have the confidence in myself when I played her (Henin-Hardenne). But now after Venus and Sugiyama, I feel a much better to play in my biggest final ever," she smiled.
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