Makarova/Vesnina outrun Kirilenko/Petrova to lift title – Kremlin Cup 2012
In an all-Russian affair, top seeded duo of Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina, battled past their countrywomen, Maria Kirilenko and Nadia Petrova, in a three-set thriller at the Kremlin Cup by Bank of Moscow 2012 on Sunday. They summed up a 6-3, 1-6,
10-8 victory against their rivals to capture the crown at this WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Premier Event held in Moscow, Russia.
The higher ranked Russians showed tremendous skills to overpower Kirilenko and Petrova in one hour and 21 minutes. They stepped off steam in the second set and received a breadstick. However, they found their rhythm again in the deciding set and grabbed
the title.
Makarova and Vesnina quickly made on the right path after entering this indoor hard court event. They smoothly held their serves until they drew the first blood in the eighth game. The higher seeds plucked their serve once again and clinched the opener with
a 6-3 score line. They dusted away the only breakpoint they faced and converted one out of two break chances to their advantage.
The lower ranked Russians made a spectacular reply in the following set. They got the desiderated break in the second game and leaped to a 3-0 lead. After their opponents held their serve in the fourth game, Kirilenko and Petrova unleashed their skills again
and sealed the equaliser with a breadstick. They dusted away the only breakpoint they faced to keep their entire serves and cashed both break chances to get back in contention.
The highest ranked tandem at the Olympic Stadium, Makarova and Vesnina re-gained early ascendancy and composure in the final set. They jumped to a 4-2 lead before closing out the decider with a 10-8 success.
All in all, the winning combination of Makarova and Vesnina struck four aces and clobbered a better first serve share of 77 per cent as compared to their rivals’ 71 per cent. They also brilliantly marked 27 out of 40 points on it and ended the match with
53 points.
Makarova and Vesnina displayed brilliant co-ordination throughout the tournament. They reached the final showdown without losing a set. The higher ranked Russians send fourth seeds, Kazakhstan’s Yaroslava Shvedova and Slovenia’s Katarina Srebotnik, towards
the exit doors before setting up this final battle.
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