Kirilenko/Petrova cripple Hlavackova/Hradecka in final – TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships 2012
Russian duo, Maria Kirilenko and Nadia Petrova, stunned second seeded Czechs, Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka, with a breadstick at the TEB BNP Paribas WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Championships 2012 on Sunday. They nudged up a 6-1, 6-4 victory
against the Czech tandem to capture the title at this larger of the year-ending event held in Istanbul, Turkey.
Seeded fourth in this tournament, Kirilenko and Petrova, completed their dream season after overpowering the Czechs. After stealing the limelight in one hour and 12 minutes, Kirilenko and Petrova claimed their second year-to-date title.
Kirilenko and Petrova thundered into the Sinan Erdem Dome. They went on a five-game killing spree before the Czechs could come on the score board. The Russians plucked their serve once again and pulled out the opener with a breadstick. They were never threatened
with any barrier and cashed both break chances to inch towards fame.
The Russian junction kept momentum sailing in the following set. They got the desiderated break in the third game and jumped to a 3-1 lead. Kirilenko and Petrova kept their remaining serves with poise and eventually sealed the set by winning six games to
four. They amazingly warded off all three breakpoints they came across and converted one out of three break chances to their advantage.
Petrova stated in a courtside interview after clinching the match:
"I'm very proud - I think we played very solid tennis today. We were calm and in control of the game from the beginning, and we didn't lose momentum in the second set. Also, Maria was very brave, holding serve in the last game from two break points down."
The Russian duo paired up again to enter the London Olympics. However, with their awesome co-ordination, they reached far in several tournaments. With their impressive performance in Moscow last week, Kirilenko and Petrova qualified at this hard court event.
"Our goal this season was just to play the Olympics and win a medal, and we achieved that, and now we're here winning this title. It's a great way to finish off the doubles season. We have had such a great year," Petrova stated further.
After conquering this event, the delighted Russians captured their fourth title together. They captured crown at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami earlier this season. Their previous titles came at the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati four years ago
and the Kremlin Cup in 2009.
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