Not this time

Kournikova misses another chance at tourney title

Kournikova spent most of last year sidelined with a foot injury, from which she is still recovering. AP

AUCKLAND, Jan 4 (Reuters) -- Anna Kournikova has crashed out of the semifinals of the Auckland Classic, losing 6-1 6-4 to Israel's Anna Smashnova on Friday.

Smashnova will meet Russia's Tatiana Panova, who beat Croatia's Silvija Talaja 6-3 6-2 in the second semifinal.

Kournikova, who was ranked as high as eighth in the world at the end of the 2000 season but has not won a singles title in six years on the women's tour, was frustrated by Smashnova's baseline game and committed too many errors.

"I didn't really play my game," Kournikova said. "She was playing her game and I tried to match her with it.

"We both kept the ball in play too long, which is how she wanted it. I wanted to get to the net as often as possible and when I did I started playing winning shots."

Smashnova eased through the first set 6-1 before Kournikova took a lead for the first time in the match at 2-1 in the second set.

She then lost three games in a row to be down 4-2 before taking the game to 5-4 but then at 30-30 in the tenth game hit two shots long to give Smashnova the victory.

Smashnova, who won two singles titles at Knokke-Heist and Tashkent in 2000, said she realised her game could be considered boring.

"Everybody has their own opinion whether it's boring or not," she said. "As long as it brings results I am happy.

"I know my game could be better, but at the moment I play to my strengths and run everything down along the baseline.

"I don't feel comfortable coming to the net."

Kournikova, who had her best chance to win a title after defending champion Meilen Tu, former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez and several seeded players were knocked out on opening day, said the 10 days she had spent in Auckland was a good experience.

"I had a great build-up and three good wins," she said. "Today wasn't so good, but it helps me get ready for the Australian Open."

Meanwhile, in the second semifinal Panova chased down every shot Talaja made.

"I don't have the serve like Venus (Williams). I don't get many aces," Panova said. "I am small so I run and I know it frustrates my opponents."

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