By Robert Lowe
Two-time grand slam tennis champion Svetlana Kuznetsova is confident of subduing a young tennis opponent she has yet to master, if she performs to her own expectations.
The third-seeded Russian faces 19-year-old American Christina McHale in the second round of the ASB Classic in Auckland on Wednesday night.
The pair have met twice before, on hardcourt in the United States last year, with McHale winning both times in straight sets.
Kuznetsova, 26, is matter-of-fact about the key to reversing that sequence.
"I just want to perform and play my game, because the matches I lost against her, I don't think I played a good game," she said.
"I think if I just play well, I should be fine."
As to what had made the unseeded McHale a tricky adversary for her in the past, she said every encounter had its own history.
In the pair's first meeting, which she lost in two tiebreakers, facing an unknown opponent had been a factor.
"I went on the court and had no clue what was going to happen," she said.
"It was a little frustrating but I don't want to make any excuses. She's a great up-and-coming player and she is playing a good, consistent game."
In the first round in Auckland, world No.19 Kuznetsova beat American qualifier Alison Riske, while McHale, who is ranked 43rd, downed unseeded Romanian Alexandra Dulgheru, both matches lasting two sets.
Having once reached No.2 in the world, Kuznetsova has the best career-high ranking in the 32-strong Auckland field.
She believes getting back to similar heights is within her capability.
"I think I can do it," she said.
"It's a matter of if I will or not, but definitely it's in my potential."
NZN