For Maria Kirilenko reaching her first final of 2010 was a wonderful accomplishment. Moreover, doing so in her hometown was particularly gratifying. Thus, with a partisan crowd firmly behind her, it was the ideal setting for Kirilenko to terminate a two year title drought. Unfortunately, Kirilenko’s opponent and doubles partner Victoria Azarenka did not cooperate. Azarenka, the second seed, bested Kirilenko 6-3,6-4 to take the Kremlin Cup title, the fifth of her career.
With Kirilenko dumping a backhand into the net, Azarenka broke to start out the match. However, Kirilenko wiped away game point and by provoking a few errors from her rival manufactured a couple of break points. Kirilenko capitalized when Azarenka double faulted. Later though at 2 all, as Kirilenko’s forehand up the line sailed long, Azarenka had triple break point. Azarenka converted when Kirilenko’s backhand directed down the line found the net instead. Then, with a forehand up the line winner on game point, Azarenka consolidated for 4-2. Down the road, with a love game, Azarenka extended her lead to 5-3. Next, with a forehand up the line winner, Azarenka got to double set point. By connecting with a backhand down the line winner, Azarenka took the first set.
