Long rehab

Svetlana Kusnetsova of Russia hits a return to Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark during their women's singles match at the Sydney International tennis tournament, Jan 8, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Kuznetsova's victory in the heat gave the 27-year-old Russian tremendous confidence she could continue to build towards the Australian Open having spent six months out rehabilitating a knee injury.

The former US and French Open champion spent two months on crutches last year and had to rebuild muscle strength in her legs to ensure she did not re-injure her right knee and dropped to 85th in the world rankings.

She had asked for a wild card for Sydney but was forced to play qualifiers, which had acually helped her build momentum into Tuesday's win.

"It was very weird to go and play, but, you know, it just makes you stronger," she told reporters.

"(It) definitely was a little bit uncomfortable, but it made me stronger (and) this is what I really was looking for in Sydney, to get matches."

Kuznetsova, who will meet second-seeded German Angelique Kerber in the quarterfinals, said she was not taking the win over the 10th-ranked Wozniacki as a turning point in her rehabilitation.

"I just don't think about it when it's turning point and when it's not," she said. "I'm here. I'm doing the best I can. That's it. That's over here. Tomorrow is another day."

Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan receives medical treatment after being affected by high temperatures, during her women's singles match against Angelique Kerber of Germany at the Sydney International tennis tournament, Jan 8, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]