Tennis: Maria Kirilenko wins Estoril Open
Associated Press
OEIRAS, Portugal — Maria Kirilenko defeated Iveta Benesova 6-4, 6-2 today to win the Estoril Open and her third career title.
The second-seeded Russian broke Benesova's serve five times on the clay court, helped by the Czech's five double-faults. It was the third straight tournament that Benesova lost in the final.
In the men's event, top-ranked Roger Federer goes for his 54th career title _ and the first of 2008 _ later Sunday against fourth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko.
With Kirilenko leading 5-4, Benesova hit a shot wide to set up a first set point before rain forced an interruption. After the 41-minute delay, Benesova, who sits 100 spots below Kirilenko in the rankings, netted from a long rally to hand the 32nd-ranked Russian the first set.
Kirilenko broke to love for a 2-0 lead in the second set. Kirilenko had won 10 straight points before the 25-year-old Benesova smacked a forehand inside the line to start the third game.
Kirilenko won with her last break in the eighth game when Benesova returned the ball into the net.