Myskina Cruises Past Rubin to Gain Quarterfinal Spot

Watch out Acura Classic tennis fans. French Open champion Anastasia Myskina has brought her “A” game to the La Costa Resort and Spa this week.

The third-seeded Russian played nearly flawless tennis in an impressive, 6-1, 6-2, victory over American Chanda Rubin, which took only 61 minutes on Stadium Court.

Myskina, who lost her serve in the fourth game of the third-round match, broke Rubin’s serve four times in winning the first set in 24 minutes.

The Russian dominated play from the baseline throughout the match as she pounded winners from the baseline off her forehand and backhand.

When Rubin would approach the net, she was unable to put away many of the volleys and allowed Myskina to hit winners.

With a 3-2 lead in the second set, Myskina scored a service break and then held for a 5-2 lead.

Rubin served to stay in the match at 5-2 and battled Myskina in a 16-point game, the longest game of the match.

Rubin fought off two match points, but on the fourth deuce point of the game, Myskina executed a perfect crosscourt slice drop shot winner to gain her third match point.

The match ended when Rubin netted a low forehand volley.

• Myskina advances to a quarterfinal match against the winner of the Gisela Dulko / Maria Sharapova match.
• Myskina now leads Rubin 4-2 in career head-to-head meetings.
• Myskina is ranked fifth in the world.
• Myskina is making her second Acura Classic appearance. She reached the third round here in 2002.
• Myskina improves her 2004 match record to 30-8.
• Myskina defeated Rubin in the fourth round of this year’s Australian Open, 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2.
• Rubin is ranked 23 in the world.
• Rubin’s 2004 match record falls to 12-7.
• Rubin was making her 10th Acura Classic appearance. She reached the quarterfinals here last year.
• Rubin was a semifinalist at the 1996 Australian Open
  

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