15 December 2007

DUBAI — It will be an all-Russian affair when Maria Kirilenko faces Evgeniya Rodina in today’s final of the ninth $75,000 ITF Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge at the Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa tennis courts here.

Top seed Kirilenko warded off a strong challenge from New Zealand’s Marina Erakovic with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 victory while Rodina overcame Yuliana Fedak of Ukraine 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals.

Kirilenko started her match against Erakovic in a whirlwind fashion taking a 2-0 lead. But the New Zealander grew more in strength as she too broke the Russian in the third and held her own in the fourth to draw level 2-2.

Kirilenko, however, stamped her authority on the game racing to a 5-3 lead. The ninth game was full of thrills with Erakovic holding the edge, to take a 40-15 lead. But Kirilenko showed her pedigree forcing deuce and went on to take the game and the set 6-3.

Kirilenko appeared all set to claim the second set as she led 3-1, but her opponent fought back to draw level before taking the set 6-4, to level the scores 1-1. The Russian, on the hand, was in a devastating form in the deciding set without giving Erakovic any chance, easily winning the set 6-1 and the match.

In an earlier semifinal encounter, the eighth seeded Rodina had to dig deep into her reserves to overcome sixth seed Yuliana Fedak 6-4, 6-4. It was an enthralling match as both girls put up an outstanding performance to the delight of the crowd.

Rodina, speaking to Khaleej Times afterwards said: “It was a tough match after my quarter-final encounter against second seed Kudryavtseva Alla on Thursday lasting more than three hours. I was tired today but I was determined to clinch a place in the final.”

Eighteen-year-old Rodina, ranked 137 in the world, said there was much pressure on her in the first set as her opponent was more aggressive. “But I am happy I managed to come through to take the set and went on to win the second and the match,” she added.

On today’s final match, the Russian, making her debut in the championship, said she would be prepared to meet either the top seed Kirilenko or Marina Erakovic.

Like the opening set, the second was also very close as they battled for points which saw Rodina take a 3-2 lead before extending her advantage 4-2. But Fedak fought back, breaking Rodina in the seventh game to cut down the deficit 4-3. Rodina held her serve in the next game and restored her lead by two games.

Fedak, however, gained early control of the ninth game with a mixture of great serves and passing shots. But despite her fine display, Rodina came more into the picture with her strong powerful volleys to force deuce. But after two deuces, Fedak took the game to reduce the scores 5-4.

The tenth game was also well-fought as both players traded shots. Rodina, who was serving, took a 40-0 lead but her opponent fought her way back into the game to cut down the deficit 40-30. Rodina, however, hit a forehand drive to the left of Fedak to win the point and the match. Results: Semifinals: Evgeniya Rodina (Russia) bt Yuliana Fedak (Ukraine) 6-4, 6-4; Maria Kirilenko (Russia) bt Marina Erakovic (New Zealand) 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.

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