Monday February 4, 2013
Kirilenko upstages Lisicki to win in Pattaya
PATTAYA: Maria Kirilenko defeated Germany’s Sabine Lisicki 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (7-1) to claim the Pattaya Open title in a tension-filled final last night.
The Russian number two seed took the title in two hours 37 minutes at the end of a fluctuating final set during which both players served for victory. It is the sixth title of her career and her first since 2008.
Since her last tournament victory she has lost four finals, including the 2012 Pattaya final to Daniela Hantuchova.
“I had a birthday before the tournament started and had a cake in my room with some candles, and I made a wish,” said Kirilenko, who turned 26 on Jan 25. “The wish was to win this tournament and the wish came true.”
But she added “I was a little disappointed in the third set,” said Kirilenko. “I was leading and everything was good and I made a return that was just out. If it was in I could win it 6-2, but after that miss she was serving so well afterwards. Then somehow I returned her serves and then I started to feel I can win it.” — AFP
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