The “Other” Russian Maria Scores Third Round Upset

Is there another Russian named Maria destined for tennis stardom?

In the biggest upset so far of the 2007 Acura Classic, 20-year-old Maria Kirilenko of Russia upset second-seeded Jelena Jankovic of Serbia, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5, to advance to the quarterfinals.

A near capacity crowd on Stadium Court saw one of the most thrilling matches of the tournament as Kirilenko scored what may be the biggest win of her professional tennis career.

After winning the first set, the crowd sensed an upset, but Jankovic came back to even the match as she took the second set in 47 minutes.

In the third set, both players remained on serve at 2-2 until Jankovic sent a forehand long on break point to give Kirilenko a 3-2 lead.

Kirilenko fought off three break points as the next game went to deuce five times. The Russian finally held for a 4-2 lead when Jankovic sent a lob wide.

In the seventh game, Jankovic fended off two break points in an 18-point game that went to deuce six times before holding to make the score 4-3 in Kirilenko’s favor.

As the crowd got into the match cheering loudly on every point, Kirilenko extended her lead to 5-3 when Jankovic mishit a service return at 40-30.

With Jankovic serving to stay in the match, the game reached deuce, but the Serbian narrowed the score to 5-4 as she hit a forehand cross court winner and Kirilenko stroked a down the line backhand long.

Kirilenko served for the match in the next game, but faced a break point at 30-40 and lost her serve when her down the line backhand fell wide, as the crowd erupted.

In tennis, the best time to break serve is right after your own serve has been broken and that is exactly what happened.

With Jankovic serving, Kirilenko earned a break point when the Serbian’s down the line backhand sailed wide.

At 30-40, Kirilenko got the service break when to the delight of the fans, she slammed a perfect cross court backhand winner.

Once again, Kirilenko would serve for the match. As fans yelled out, “Come on Maria!” the young Russian fought off a break point when Jankovic netted a high backhand volley at the net.
At deuce, Kirilenko reached match point when she hit a backhand overhead winner.

The match ended when Jankovic netted a forehand and Kirilenko dropped her racquet and thrust her arms in the air to celebrate her upset victory.

Kirilenko advances to a quarterfinal match against fellow Russian Elena Dementieva.

• Kirilenko is ranked 42 in the world.
• Kirilenko is making her third career Acura Classic appearance.
• This was Kirilenko’s first victory over Jankovic in three head-to-head meetings.
• Kirilenko’s 2007 match record is now 14-18.
• Kirilenko has represented Russia in Fed Cup play.
• Jankovic was making her third career Acura appearance.
• Jankovic reached the semifinals at Roland Garros this year.
• Jankovic has represented Serbia in the Olympics and Fed Cup play.
• Jankovic’s 2007 match record is now 55-14.

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