Melbourne: Russian 14th seed Maria Kirilenko advanced to the third round of the women`s singles at the Australian Open after beating China`s Peng Shuai 7-5, 6-2 here on Thursday.
Peng Shuai`s double fault gave Kirilenko chance to break in the 11th game of the one hour and 13 minutes first set and the Russian didn`t` waste it.
After a really close and intense opening set, the 2010 Australian Open semifinalist raised the ante in the second set. Kirilenko raced to a 4-0 lead with a double break. She went on to serve the match out successfully to secure a spot in the third round.
"I was quite blank later in the match."said Peng. "I wanted to make changes in the second set but I just did`nt know how to do it."
"My coach just stood there for ten minutes and said nothing in the locker room."said Peng. "I don`t know. Maybe something`s wrong between us."
IANS