Kirilenko storms past sixth seed
January 19, 2008
Another top 10 seed has bitten the dust at the Australian Open, with Russian Anna Chakvetadze bounced out of the tournament by compatriot Maria Kirilenko.
Kirilenko dropped the first set but came back to win the next two and claim a surprise 6-7 (8-6) 6-1 6-2 win over the sixth seed.
The first set went to serve, forcing it into a thrilling tie-breaker which Chakvetadze won 8-6.
It was supposed to be an uphill battle for Kirilenko from there, with Chakvetadze boasting a 28-1 win-loss record in Grand Slams after taking the first set.
But the No.27 seed ignored the trend, breaking Chakvetadze on three occasions en route to securing the second set in under half an hour.
Kirilenko broke Chakvetadze at 3-2 and 5-2 in the deciding set to complete her first victory over her fellow Russian in three years.
The loss was too much to bear for Chakvetadze's father, who fled Rod Laver Arena as his daughter slid towards defeat.