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Iblis · Feb 3rd, 2013, 12:56 PM

She's awesome.

the cat · Feb 3rd, 2013, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phenomareva

The face tells it all

I think this is arguably the best Makiri photo I have ever seen!

There is such joy such relief in her face.

The final against Lisicki was always going to be difficult for Kiri because of Sabine's big serve and overall power game. And they had not played each other for almost 5 years.

Lots of ups and downs in this match. But in the end Maria won and deservedly so. Perhaps having straight set win in the QF and SF helped Maria today because last year Kiri had a brutally tough SF win over Cirstea and that draining match cost her in that long final against Hantuchova. I bet Maris knew that Sabine beat Sharapova at Wimbledon lasdt year and almost beat her at the Olympics too. I bet Maria was ready fro Sabine and did not pay any attention to her misleading ranking.

Kiri heading for the top 10.

If and when Kirilenko makes the top 10 it will be well deserved because she is a true warrior of the WTA Tour. She trains hard, plays hard and has shown up to play worldwide for 10 years. Oh and by the way Kiri's all court game is superb. That is not debatable.

On a side note Makiri snd Sabine should be doubles partners. They would be a dynamic team and a great combination of finesse (Kirilenko) and power (Lisicki).

P.S. - Kiri must be so relieved to have finally won a singles title again. Her first since 2008. She really needed this title and she got it even though it nearly slipped away. Like I have said before it is time to expect more from Maria as far as titles go. If she stays healthy she should be able to win titles occasionally. I mean Wozniacki and Radwanksa win a few titles a year. I hope Kiri can add another title or 2 this year. We shall see.

misH@ · Feb 3rd, 2013, 01:10 PM

Since her last tournament victory she has lost four finals, including the 2012 Pattaya final to Daniela Hantuchova.

"I had a birthday before the tournament started and had a cake in my room with some candles, and I made a wish," said Kirilenko, who turned 26 on January 25.

"The wish was to win this tournament and the wish came true."

"I was a little disappointed in the third set," said Kirilenko.

"I was leading and everything was good and I made a return that was just out. If it was in I could win it 6-2, but after that miss she was serving so well afterwards.

"Then somehow I returned her serves (at 6-5) and it was a tiebreak and then I started to feel I can win it."

Iblis · Feb 3rd, 2013, 01:13 PM

Last game of 3rd set on 6-5 and the tie-break were so intense.
Thank you Maria, I'm very happy.

misH@ · Feb 3rd, 2013, 01:23 PM

Can someone upload photos of last titles of Kiri in her Championship thread?

the cat · Feb 3rd, 2013, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misH@

Since her last tournament victory she has lost four finals, including the 2012 Pattaya final to Daniela Hantuchova.

"I had a birthday before the tournament started and had a cake in my room with some candles, and I made a wish," said Kirilenko, who turned 26 on January 25.

"The wish was to win this tournament and the wish came true."

"I was a little disappointed in the third set," said Kirilenko.

"I was leading and everything was good and I made a return that was just out. If it was in I could win it 6-2, but after that miss she was serving so well afterwards.

"Then somehow I returned her serves (at 6-5) and it was a tiebreak and then I started to feel I can win it."

Cute words about her birthday wish.

NiMaria · Feb 3rd, 2013, 01:55 PM

Congratulations! So happy for her

I hope she uses this as a confidence booster and guns for the top 10 by the end of the year.

Onto Moscow and Doha next. Btw does anyone know her full schedule this year?

GoMasha23 · Feb 3rd, 2013, 04:18 PM

Its so nice to see Maria win this title, It has been such a long time. This should give her a big confidence boost for the rest of the year.

peterlein · Feb 3rd, 2013, 08:33 PM

YESSS, Maria did it!!!!

I can't tell you how happy I am

ladies and gentlemen, Maria Kirilenko is the new Pattaya champion

I couldn't watch the live-stream as I had to work today, and maybe that was better for me!

What a nailbiter, I had to check the live-scores on my smartphone almost every second! I was so nervous!

It was a real rollercoaster, first she lost the first set after she was a break up...then a convincing second set to level things up, 1 set all
she had a great start into the last set then, she even had the opportunity for a comfortable 4-0 and doublebreak there...
then it was 5-2* and 40-15, 2 MP's for Kiri....I already was like YES YES YES

but sabine suddenly found back into the match, 4 games in a row from then to take a *6-5 lead, she was serving for the match!
I was completely down, I thought it was all over, I went crazy, I felt so helpless

...but another comeback from Maria then, to reach the tiebreak!
and there she was impressive, 7-1 wooow!!! THANKS KIRI!!! the way she won today makes it even sweeter

What a great day! Her pics with the trophy are just...

She deserves that title so much, it can be so important for the rest of the season. The ice is broken, now she knows that she can win titles again! She really can win another title this season now!
Some fantastic moments for her throughout this tournament, it really will give her a confidence boost...

oh, and her birthday wishes....they came true! so cute

So I am going to watch the whole match on youtube now

Iblis · Feb 3rd, 2013, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaKiri rulezzz

I couldn't watch the live-stream as I had to work today, and maybe that was better for me!

What a nailbiter, I had to check the live-scores on my smartphone almost every second! I was so nervous!

You you can say it loud, I started to be tachycardic during the tiebreak (), I wanted to see her winning the title so bad.
Luckily everything went right at the end.

AK-DH Fan · Feb 3rd, 2013, 11:23 PM

Congrats Maria!!! Much deserved title. This should give her a huge amount of confidence boost for the rest of the year. Not only beating a really good player in the final, but ending her title drought. I hope she keeps up these results. she is heading for the top ten!!!!

Daniel · Feb 4th, 2013, 09:55 AM

Well done Maria

the cat · Feb 4th, 2013, 05:01 PM

The Pattaya tournament had some odd statistics that's for sure. In the final Lisicki was credited with only 11 winners but I counted 27 on the video package of the final on Youtube. And the highlights did not show all the points so Lisicki probably had alot more than 27 winners. It looked like a fun up and down final that Makiri fought hard to win.

Iblis · Feb 4th, 2013, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the cat

The Pattaya tournament had some odd statistics that's for sure. In the final Lisicki was credited with only 11 winners but I counted 27 on the video package of the final on Youtube. And the highlights did not show all the points so Lisicki probably had alot more than 27 winners. It looked like a fun up and down final that Makiri fought hard to win.

Statistical surveys (is it correct in english?) are often a mess.

Remix13 · Feb 5th, 2013, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iblis

Statistical surveys (is it correct in english?) are often a mess.

Indeed in these MM tournaments, UE/W stats mean nothing. In Slams or important tournaments it's more accurate, I remember making my own stats watching a RG match (a long time ago, it was a Safin match) and it was very close to the official stats.