Hantuchova Gets Past Kirilenko on Stadium Court

Fourteenth-seeded Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia held off the up-and-coming young Russian, Maria Kirilenko, 7-6 (5), 6-1 in the last match of the night at the Acura Classic.

Playing on Stadium Court at the La Costa Resort and Spa, Hantuchova took a 5-3 lead in the first set, however she lost three straight games to fall behind 5-6.

The 18-year-old Kirilenko served for the first set, but wasted a set point and ultimately lost her serve when she double faulted on break point.

Hantuchova went on to win the tiebreaker to take a one-set lead. The Slovak then used three service breaks to dominate Kirilenko in the second set.

At 5-1, Hantuchova broke Kirilenko’s serve to close out the match, which ended at 11:42 p.m.

• Hantuchova will play the winner of the Ai Sugiyama / Meghann Shaughnessy match in the second round.
• Hantuchova is ranked 24 in the world.
• Hantuchova now leads Kirilenko 2-0 in head-to-head meetings.
• Hantuchova’s 2005 match record is now 22-16.
• Hantuchova is appearing in her fourth Acura Classic.
• Kirilenko was playing in her first Acura Classic.
• Kirilenko is ranked 50 in the world.
• Kirilenko’s 2005 match record is now 26-16.

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