Maria Kirilenko ousts Laura Pous-Tio; moves into the quarterfinal at 2011 Internationaux Strasbourg
Russian tennis super star Maria Kirilenko defeated Spanish Laura Pous-Tio in an exciting three setter 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5) on Sunday to reach her first Women’s Tennis Association quarterfinal of the season at Internationaux de Strasbourg.
The match was played on an extremely competitive note as both players put up a great fight to gain psychological advantage over one another. Kirilenko made a strong start by making the crucial first serve break early in the opening
set. Pous-Tio did well to clinch her service games but failed to break back as Kirilenko pocked the opener 6-3.
The Spaniard regrouped herself and showed amazing fighting ability and determination in the second set as she broke the challenger to shift the balance of the match. She successfully held on to her serve games to level the set
score 1-1.
The final set proved to be nail biter as both players traded breaks of serve. After the contestants refused to give up, the set went into the tie-breaker. Kirilenko showed no signs of nerves and claimed four straight points in
the tie-breaker to end the contest that lasted for more than two hours and 43 minutes.
Fifth seed Kirilenko was delighted at her victory and aimed for similar results in her next matches at the US$220,000 WTA tournament. Kirilenko’s superior serve was her main weapon as she reached an excellent 77 per cent first
serve conversion. She also asserted dominance over her opponent in the serve return department by securing more than 45 percent of the points. The Russian made most of the opportunities that were presented to her as she converted five break chances during
the match.
Pous-Tio executed her game plan well to her credit but lacked the firepower in some aspects of the game. She seemed to have things under control at the end of the second set but lost track as she failed to tighten the screws. Her
defence was also weak which resulted in a loss of confidence for her.
Kirilenko will face Andrea Petkovic in the quarterfinal round later in the event. Petkovic has looked in commanding form over the last few months. She secured easy wins in her opening two matches at the tournament and will be the
favourite in her clash against Russian. Kirilenko will have to up her game play considerably if she wants to stand a chance against the German, who defeated her in straight sets 7-5, 6-1 at Rome just over a week ago.
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