Kuznetsova overcomes Wozniacki, Li Na scorches through(2)

Kuznetsova's victory in the heat gave the 27-year-old Russian tremendous confidence she could continue to build towards the Australian Open having spent six months out rehabilitating a knee injury.

The former US and French Open champion spent two months on crutches last year and had to rebuild muscle strength in her legs to ensure she did not re-injure her right knee and dropped to 85th in the world rankings.

She had asked for a wild card for Sydney but was forced to play qualifiers, which had acually helped her build momentum into Tuesday's win.

"It was very weird to go and play, but, you know, it just makes you stronger," she told reporters.

"(It) definitely was a little bit uncomfortable, but it made me stronger (and) this is what I really was looking for in Sydney, to get matches."

Kuznetsova, who will meet second-seeded German Angelique Kerber in the quarterfinals, said she was not taking the win over the 10th-ranked Wozniacki as a turning point in her rehabilitation.

"I just don't think about it when it's turning point and when it's not," she said. "I'm here. I'm doing the best I can. That's it. That's over here. Tomorrow is another day."

Kooyong injuries

While players battled heat in Sydney, in Melbourne men's world number 12 Juan Monaco and 19 Kei Nishikori's final Australian Open preparations were in doubt.

Argentina's Monaco withdrew from the invitational Kooyong tournament with a hand injury and his spot in the eight man tournament, which starts on Wednesday, was taken by Paul-Henri Mathieu, tournament director Colin Stubs said.

Japan's Nishikori also told reporters the knee injury that forced him out of the semifinals in Brisbane on Saturday was still causing him problems and he did not know if he would play at Kooyong.

"I don't know," he said when asked if whether he could play. "I'm going to try to hit today and let's see how it goes.

"It's not bad. Let's cross the fingers and hopefully it will be okay."

Agencies