Zimpapers Logo

Svetlana Kuznetsova hacked off part of her own hair at a changeover as she beat Agnieszka Radwanska 7-5 1-6 7-5 at the WTA Finals.

The Russian, 31, who qualified for the event ahead of Britain’s Johanna Konta, cut her thick plait in half with scissors at the start of the third set.

“It was bothering me a lot. When I was hitting the forehands I hit a good shot and it would hit my eye,” she said.

“I thought, ‘what’s more important? My hair, which can grow, or the match?’” Kuznetsova asked the umpire to supply her with a pair of scissors to carry out her impromptu haircut.

Defending champion Radwanska said she was unaware of the incident, but agreed with her opponent’s priorities.

“I didn’t even know that,” said the Pole. “Good thing she didn’t cut her anything else. I think hair is not very important.”

It was just one dramatic moment in a three-hour match in which Kuznetsova recovered from 4-1 down to take the first set, saved a match point in the third and was tearful at a changeover before prevailing.— BBC.