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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 6:06 a.m., Sunday, April 20, 2008

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.