Kirilenko ruins Radwanska’s Doha hopes in Moscow
World No.10 Agnieszka Radwanska lost her chance to take the final qualifying spot for the prestigious Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha, losing to 61st-ranked Maria Kirilenko 6-3 6-3 in the first round of the Kremlin Cup.
Radwanska’s defeat means that Jelena Jankovic and Vera Zvonareva will fight it out for the eighth spot at the season-ending Championships. Still, Radwanska will be an alternate for Doha, along with the loser of the qualifying battle between Jankovic and Zvonareva.
World No.12 Flavia Pennetta had a shot at being an alternate at the Sony Ericsson Championships, but she retired from her first-round match at the Kremlin Cup and her chance has thus been removed. The Italian won the opening set against Agnes Szavay 6-4, but after losing the first three games of the following set she retired with a left knee injury. (photo: Ralf Reinecke)
JJ will play in Doha. I hope so
jj has clasified for doha because zvoraneva lost today… what a pity… I'd like vera to be there!
Bravo Jeca
Bravo, Kiri, one of my personal favourites. I'd like to see her in Doha one day.
I also like Maria, but Doha is a long way ahead of her. :/
Yeah, I am with you on this one. She has her moments of greatness but also pretty bleak moments. She needs to keep her head a bit more, but that goes for all Russian players, it seems.
Marine, Kirilenko hasn't really shined in a long time. I'm actually pleasantly surprised she had these victories in Moscow.
Hmm, maybe she is still finding ground under her feet. It can take a while,the talent is there undoubtedly… But I don't think it's another Sharapova.