Maria Kirilenko displayed a consistent array of strokes, in a coming-from-behind win over croatian Karolina Sprem, on the first day of The Australian Open to secure a second round berth.
In a match probably to feature two of the most promising, but yet to show big results, players it was fitting that the match would be extremely competitive. And it did not disapoint. After rallying through the first set in 47 minutes clinching it 6-3, Sprem was soon on difficulties, not managing to maitain the ball in play, eventually allowing Kirilenko to claim the second set by the same margin. In the second set Maria raised her game as the croatian’s fell apart and whitout looking back, closed the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 to advance to the second round. In the end Sprem’s 60 unforced erros were simply too much and while Kirilenko only made 13 winners the same could be said of her 13 unforced errors which did not compromise her play. Kirilenko was impressively at the net too, winning 9 out of 11 approaches to totalize an 82% of winning.
In the second round Kirilenko will meet comeback player, Julia Vakulenko, who after several months out of action, has passed through the qualifying and defeated Elena Likhovtseva in the previous round. These two players have never met at the WTA level so it should be an intriguing match to follow. However, Kirilenko’s superior ranking might be a special conditioning for the outcome of this match.
