Russian Kirilenko lifts Sunfeast Open singles title

KOLKATA, September 23: Russian Maria Kirilenko won her second WTA singles title with a 6-0, 6-2 hammering of Mariya Koryttseva at the $175,000 Sunfeast Open on Sunday.

Kirilenko, world number 35 and seeded fourth here, outclassed her Ukrainian opponent ranked just 164 on the WTA charts.

The Russian, whose only other WTA Tour title came in 2005 in Beijing, made her intentions clear right from the start.

Flawless service and punishing backhands unsettled Koryttseva as Kirilenko won six games on the trot to seal the set in merely 26 minutes.

The Ukrainian was forced to play from the baseline in the one-sided encounter and was often making desperate runs in trying to reach the ball.

Her usually effective forehand also seemed to have deserted her completely as she caved in to the 20-year-old Russian.

In the second set, Koryttseva did manage to fight back, breaking Kirilenko in the first game. But Kirilenko went on to win six games in a row to wrap it up 6-2.

Kirilenko, who had upset second seed Slovak Daniela Hantuchova in the semi-finals on Saturday, was also helped by the numerous unforced errors and faulty backhands of the Ukrainian.

"The first set was very easy. In the second I guess she came back for the first two games," Kirilenko told reporters.

"Ever since I signed up with Eric (Van Harpen) as coach, my game has improved. He understands my game and I understand what he is trying to say.

"So we get along very well. I think we will do well," said the Russian who is headed for Seoul from here.

Source: sports.indiatimes.com