French Open Maria Kirilenko more than a stunning tennis player
Maria Kirilenko is known as one of tennis’ very own stunner. Aside from her famed features, Kirilenko proved that she is just more than a face at the French Open of Roland-Garros.
Kirilenko, ranked 30th in the world, has been one of the vastly improving stars in the women’s circuit.
Mostly seen in fashion and men’s magazine, Kirilenko holds a combination of charming beauty and incredible athleticism.
In this year’s French Open, Kirilenko once again proved that she is more than a stunning tennis player; she is also a winner.
Ousting the defending champ
Kirilenko the tennis world last week, whenshe defeated sixth seed and 2009 French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Kirilenko pulled off a win over the defending champion by 6-3 2-6 6-4, allowing her to reach the fourth round for the first time in her career.
Kuznetsova, who dominated Andrea Petkovic in the second round, could not do the same against Kirilenko’s play.
While Kuznetsova managed for scrap by four match points during her second round match with Petkovic, she was not lucky enough to save the third match point against Russia’s Kirilenko.
Despite the sixth seed’s advantage in the third set, 3-0, 30th-seed Kirilenko forayed into a four game winning streak. Kuznetsova gained another chance for a turnover when the match reached 5-5.
However, Kirilenko held her position and her match with Kuznetsova became one of the best career wins. Kirilenko pulled of a 6-3 2-6 6-4 victory which secured her place into another bid in the French Open fourth round program.
Kuznetsova expressed that defending her title against Kirilenko became difficult given the kind of play she has been using for the current tennis season. Kuznestova previously lost another match to Kirilenko in Rome around the early May.
First Round and Second Round Win
Before her victory over Kuznetsova, Kirilenko already showcased her successful tennis play against Kai-Chen Chang (TPE).
Following this victory, Kirilenko established her spot as Kuznetsova’s third round opponent when she won against Yvonne Mesuburger of Australia. Kirilenko won by 6-3, 6-3.
The match was considerably challenging for Kirilenko as they had to struggle against the rain to finish the second round program.
Fourth Round Lost To Francesca Schiavone
After dispatching Kuznetsova, Kirilenko’s intriguing run ended with a 6-4, 6-4 lost to Francesca Schiavone of Italy in the fourth round.
Kirilenko struggled and committed to many unforced errors in the match, allowing Schiavonne to gain confidence.
With the defeat, Kirilenko’s hopes of winning her first Grand Slam came to a close.
Solid Outing Nonetheless
Back in 2009 French Open, Kirilenko was not able to get seeded in the singles tournament. She lost her first round match to Australia’s Olivia Rogowska, 6–4, 6–4.
On the other hand, Kirilenko together with her doubles partner Italy’s Flavia Pennetta managed to rank 8th in the tournament.
Kirilenko and Pennetta won their first round match against the doubles team of Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki and Romania’s Sorana Cirstea. Kirilenko and Pennetta won by 6–4, 6–4.
They also won the second round doubles match against US’s Carly Gullickson and Jill Craybas.
Unfortunately, the duo lost their third round against Patty Schnyder of Switzerland and her partner Anna Lena Gronefeld of Germany. The opposing team was ranked 11th and they posed a 7–6(7–4), 6–4 win.
Kirilenko had her fair share of titles in recent years. She was the title holder of WTA Tour back in 2005. She pushed past Anna-Lena Grönefeld to claim victory during the China Open. And Kirilenko was previously ranked 18th back in July 2008 during the WTA Tour.
This was a career high for her in singles ranking. Kirlenko also reached the quarterfinal round of the 2010 Australian Open quarterfinals – also a career best.
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