Kuznetsova maintains impressive run

Former U.S. Open champion crushed Italian Mara Santangelo 6-3 6-1 on Friday to storm into the fourth round of the Australian Open.

Former U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova crushed Italian Mara Santangelo 6-3 6-1 on Friday to storm into the fourth round of the Australian Open.

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The 14th seed blasted 10 aces past her opponent to become the fourth Russian into the last 16 at Melbourne Park this year, with two more still to play their third round matches.

Kuznetsova won the U.S. Open at the end of 2004 but tumbled down the rankings last year, failing to win a single tournament while falling in the first round of the defence of her New York title.

However, the signs are good that she is regaining her form and confidence this year. She was unbeaten at the Hopman Cup and reached the semi-finals of last week's Sydney International.