Kuznetsova haunted by Radwanska effect

By Pritha Sarkar

PARIS (Reuters) - Svetlana Kuznetsova has always enjoyed experimenting with her tactics midway through a match but has learnt from bitter experience not to try that ploy when she faces 12th seed Agnieszka Radwanska at the French Open.

The Russian seventh seed will come face to face with the rising Pole in the fourth round and still has nightmares about the last time they met on a grand slam stage in 2008.

"I was up 4-1 in the third (set) at Wimbledon. I was playing everything great, and I suddenly thought I would change something and do something new, and I started to do something new and I lost the match," Kuznetsova told reporters after dispatching Hungary's Melinda Czink 6-1 6-3 on Saturday.

"This I remember very well.

"I don't have a great record against her but I know if I'm confident with myself, if I play the right game, the right tactic, I'll feel okay," added the Russian, who has a 4-3 record against Radwanska.

But Radwanska will have her work cut out as Kuznetsova ominously moved into the last 16 for the sixth year running and has lost only 11 games in her three matches to date.

Along with fellow Russian Dinara Safina, the seventh seed was the in-form player coming into the championships and she feels the guidance of new coach Larisa Savchenko is already paying dividends.

"She just brings me confidence, give me small tips and small tips that make all difference," said the 23-year-old.