WTA Beijing – Serena edges Kirilenko in two close sets

World No. 1 Serena Williams overcame Maria Kirilenko in two tought sets 7 – 5 7 – 5.

Serena was looking to extend her outstanding head-to-head record over Kirilenko, Williams won all the 7 previous meetings between the two players.

The Russian played very solid from the baseline with some quality shots and in the first set she had chance to serve for the first set, Maria broke Serena serve at 4 – 4 and served in the 10^th game to close the first one. Kirilenko seemed to be in control leading 40 – 0 with three set points, however Makiri felt the pressure and lost all set points with double fault, backhand unforced error and a forehand crossed winner from Serena. After two more errors Serena got the break back and leveled the set at 5 games all. Williams held serve and got another break to close the set at her first set point with another double fault by Kirilenko.

Kirilenko was once again the first to get the break in the second set getting a 4 – 2 lead, but Serena once again came back and after two holds and a break was leading 5 – 4 with Maria serving to stay in the match. Despite being able to save herself from that game, the Russian wasn’t able to repeat that at 5 – 6 and lost this set once again 5 – 7 at match point number 4 with a backhand unforced error.