Sofia Arvidsson stuns Maria Kirilenko to enter semis – Kremlin Cup 2012
Swedish number one, Sofia Arvidsson, surprised everyone after upsetting another seed, Maria Kirilenko from Russia, in straight sets at the Kremlin Cup by Bank of Moscow 2012 on Friday. She nudged up a 6-3, 6-3 victory against the world number 16 to secure
a place in the final four at this WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Premier event held in Moscow, Russia.
The Swedish veteran re-ignited her old spark to triumph over Kirilenko in their second outing. After registering this success in one hour and 21 minutes, Arvidsson improved to a 2-0 lifetime in the head-to-head series against the 25-year-old and inched closer
towards her second year-to-date title.
Arvidsson stated in an on-court interview after conquering the seed:
"Maria's a tough player, a very aggressive player, so I knew I had to serve well and hit the ball deep today so she couldn't go in the court. I was a little bit nervous because this is a very big tournament, but I was able to play through it. I'm happy with
the win and look forward to the semi-finals."
The 28-year-old made a convincing entry at the Olympic Stadium. She drew the first blood in the fifth game and jumped to a 4-2 lead. After Kirilenko held her serve in the seventh game, the Swede bagged the last two games and licked the opener with a 6-3
win.
Ranked 46th in the WTA Premier Rankings, Arvidsson maintained her intensity in the proceeding set. She squandered her lead in the fifth game but broke her rival’s serve again in the following game, eventually sealing the set with a 6-3 success.
The Halmstad native capitalised on several unforced errors her opponent spilled. She also manipulated a better first serve share and magnificently marked 29 out of 41 points on it.
Arvidsson has shown her skills from start of this event. She stunned second seeded Marion Bartoli with a bagel to enter quarters.
Next in queue for Arvidsson is the third seed, Caroline Wozniacki, who dumped the defending champion, Dominika Cibulkova in a three-set nail-biter to set up this meeting. The former world number one availed eight out of 12 break chances to formulate a 6-2,
6-7(1), 6-1 victory to progress.
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