Dubai: Top seed Maria Kirilenko of Russia won her third ITF Women's Circuit singles title with a smooth 7-5, 6-2 win against fellow countrywoman Evgeniya Rodina at the 9th Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge on Saturday.
Considered the tournament favourite, the 20-year-old Kirilenko took her time - and an off-court medical time-out as well - to overcome a tenacious opponent in an engrossing final at the Al Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa.
Shaikh Hasher Al Maktoum, Director Dubai Information and President of Tennis Emirates, gave away the trophies in the presence of Khalaf Al Habtoor, Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, Mohammad Al Merri, General Secretary of Tennis Emirates, and Salah Tahlak, Tournament Director for the Dubai Tennis Championships.
"It's always nice to win any tournament, but this one is special because I came here to gauge my level. This win proves that I have achieved my goal in starting my preparations for the season ahead," Kirilenko told Gulf News.
The tussle between the two players was nothing short of an engrossing finale to the week-long annual event, now in its ninth year.
Rodina was the first to snatch the initiative with an early break and held serve for a 2-0 lead. But Kirilenko took her time to settle and then broke back in the fourth game to make it 2-2.
The top seed, currently at number 25 in the Sony Ericsson WTA Rankings, had a chance to break her younger opponent in the eighth. But Rodina just kept going, mixing up her game well to outwit Kirilenko.
The crucial break for the top seed came in the 12th game and that was all that was needed for her to take the opening set 7-5.
After the first set, Kirilenko asked for an off-court medical time-out complaining of pain in the lower back.
That break seemed to have done her good as she notched her first break in the sixth game to go clear 4-2 and then never looked back as she wrapped up the set and match 6-2.
Kirilenko will return to her training base in Valencia with her coach Eric Van Harpen to continue with her preparations for the 2008 season.
"The start of the preparations has been as expected, and I hope to be ready for a tough season next year," Kirilenko said.
"I love Dubai and I will certainly return to defend my title here next year," the Russian promised.
Kirilenko also considered this win as the first step towards bigger things here. "I love coming here. Who knows this win may be the first step towards the big one [the Dubai Duty Free Women's Open] in February," she smiled.
