Kuznetsova wins opener

California - Svetlana Kuznetsova, making a comeback after six months on the sidelines due to a right knee injury, took another step forward Wednesday with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Andrea Hlavackova in the opening round of the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Kuznetsova, twice a Grand Slam champion and two times a runner-up in this $10 million event, did not play following Wimbledon last season due to the injury and the former world No 2 was ranked No 85 on January 6.

She is No 46 now thanks in large part to quarter-final showings at Sydney, Australia, and in the Australian Open and can continue her climb with a win over No 18 Jelena Jankovic in the second round.