The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Kirilenko closing in on Chakvetadze

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Kirilenko closing in on Chakvetadze

— PHOTO: AFP

LOSING GROUND: Anna Chakvetadze may have broken through earlier but Maria Kirilenko is catching up.

MELBOURNE: Maria Kirilenko is slowly closing the gap on childhood opponent Anna Chakvetadze. “Actually I was always the best when I was small,” Kirilenko said after rallying to beat No. 6 Chakvetadze and advancing to the fourth round. “Then the last two years she is very successful ... wins everything, so she became a top 10 player.

“To be honest, like I was little bit surprised, because from the small age I never thought that she could play as good as she’s playing.”

“Usually I’m losing like every time in the first round in a Grand Slam,” No. 27 Kirilenko said. “So I’m happy the tradition is broken.”

Kirilenko is now 2-4 against Chakvetadze, who is just over a month younger than Kirilenko.

Futbol!

The outdoor courts at Melbourne Park may have been too wet for tennis, but nobody said anything about football.

With his doubles match postponed due to rain, French player Michael Llodra and members of his support team made use of their time with a shirts vs. no shirts football match on Court 17.

Llodra was scheduled to partner compatriot Arnaud Clement against American Eric Butorac and Kevin Ullyet of Zimbabwe before persistent drizzle forced all outdoor play to be delayed. — AP

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