Maria Kirilenko - Official website

Maria won wednesday in the first round of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami against the Ukrainian Kateryna Bondarenko in two hours and three minutes. The score : 6-4, 0-6, 6-4.

Maria will play the second round against the Italian Flavia Pennetta. In the head to head, Maria leads 2-0 with two victories in 2007 in Gold Coast (6-1, 6-2) and Kolkata (6-3, 6-1).

Maria will play the first round of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami against the Ukrainian Kateryna Bondarenko. Maria never played against her before. The winner will play in the second round against the Italian Flavia Pennetta.

To see the singles draw, click here.

In the doubles tournament, Maria and Flavia Pennetta will play the first round against Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) and Agnes Szavay (HUN).

To see the doubles draw, click here.

Sony Ericsson Open
Miami, FL, USA
March 25 - April 4, 2009

Premier
Prize Money : $4,500,000
Draw : 96M/48Q/32D
Surface : Hardcourt/Outdoors

Official Website : www.sonyericssonopen.com

Maria, how do you explain your good results in doubles with Flavia and Agnieszka and your difficulties in simples? What are the reasons of this difference of results?
I think I improve in doubles, I got an idea how to play and the results are better now. I had a lot of fun to play with Agnieszka, we reached the finale in Dubai, we played very good, both of us! With Flavia, it is another story. She is my partner, we have so good communication on court and off court as well. We play almost one year, we know each other very well and we had already good results. I like to play with Flavia, she is a great girl and great tennis player!

In Indian Wells, you seemed to be and to play really better. Was it the best match of your season against Gallovits?
Well, I start to play better in Mexico already. I won the first round and I played a very good set against Safarova. It was just bad luck in the second set with my knee. Against Gallovits, it was my match at 100%. I didn’t have one ball to win that match, I played more aggressive than her. I made a point every time, but she just brought the ball back and I missed couple. But in the statistics, I won more points than her, it is not fare that I lost. But I fell I am on the good way. Soon I going to get good results in singles!

Do you work differently since your leave Eric Van Harpen ? Is it better for you to work with Yuri ?
Well, it was just time to finish with Eric. We worked more than one year and I felt that I need to change something already. The preseason with Eric was terrible, that is why I started the year not so good… And you add some illness… So now, I am happy, I feel more calm and I am glad that my father is helping me. Nobody will help me like my father!

What did you do in Indian Wells when you didn’t play tennis?
Well, I had some photo shooting there, I’ve been in the cinema, I’ve been in good restaurants. There are not so much things that you can do in Indian Wells.

The Sony Ericsson Open will be particularly tough with all the best players. How do you feel for this tournament and what goal do you want to reach ?
First, my goal is to play good tennis. And then, to have some good results! After Miami,  I am really looking forward to play on clay. I can’t wait my first tournament (laugh).

Do you want to tell something to your fans ?
Thank you very much for your letters and supporting, I am really happy to have so many of you, it is give me more power and confidence

Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Rankings - March 23rd
Singles : 39 (-2)
Race - Singles : 151 (-2)
Doubles : 18 (+2)

Full ranking, click here

Career-High Singles :  18 (July 7, 2008)
Career-High Doubles : 18 (March 23, 2009)

« Hello ! After few days in Indian Wells, I am arrived today in Miami. Thank you for all the nice emails you send me. Thank you for supporting me !  »

Maria