Szavay happy to earn rematch with Kuznetsova

NEW YORK, Sept 4 (Reuters) Hungarian teenager Agnes Szavay was not sure she would be fit enough to play in the US Open after her back stiffened last week and she had to quit in the finals at New Haven against Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Now the 18-year-old Szavay finds herself in the quarter-finals of the US Open with another crack at proving herself against the Russian, her opponent in the last eight.

''Yeah, I'm surprised,'' Szavay said about her success at Flushing Meadows in only her third grand slam. ''I'm very happy.'' Szavay took the first set against the Russian in New Haven before she was forced to retire trailing 0-3 in the second. The Hungarian said she thought her Open was in jeopardy because of the injury, but that two days later she felt better.

''I'm really looking forward to play her again,'' Szavay told reporters about earning a rematch with fourth-seeded Kuznetsova by beating Julia Vakulenko of Ukraine 6-4 7-6 yesterday.

Szavay, the French Open juniors champion in 2005, had a major setback last year when she struggled on court for months before being diagnosed with mononucleosis, which put her on the sidelines for two months.

After returning to competition in September, Szavay put her game back in order and made a meteoric rise up the rankings. After ending 2006 ranked 207th, the Hungarian has soared to number 31, claiming her first Tour win this summer in Palermo.

The 22-year-old Kuznetsova, US Open champion in 2004, said having faced Szavay in the abbreviated New Haven final would help her in their quarter-finals clash.

''I think it's very good because the first set in New Haven I didn't know what to expect but now I can prepare better,'' the Russian said.

Szavay said she her back was fine now and she would be full strength for the next meeting with Kuznetsova.

''Perfect,'' she said. ''Don't feel it at all.'' REUTERS BJR KN0554