Na Li Upsets Venus Williams

Na Li posted a huge upset by defeating Venus Williams in a thrilling 3-set Quarterfinal match at the Australian Open. Li, seeded 16, was able to hold serve one more time in the 3rd set than 6th seeded Williams to take the match 2-6, 7-6, 7-5.

It was not a day to be serving. Both players struggled with serve, especially in the 3rd set. There were 9 breaks in 12 games in the 3rd set, with Li holding twice and Williams only once.

Kirilenko’s Run Halted By Zheng

History is in the making as unseeded, 35th ranked Jie Zheng has become the first Chinese woman to reach the Semifinals of the Australian Open. She won an impressive straight-sets victory over Russia’s 58th ranked giant-killer Maria Kirilenko in the Quarterfinals of the 2010 Australian Open, 6-1, 6-3.

The 26-year-old Zheng’s service returns were fierce in the first set, breaking Kirilenko in the 4th game and then closing out the set 6-1. In the second set, Zheng pulled out to a 2-0 lead, followed by a marathon sixth game where Zheng saved several break points in a strong challenge from Kirilenko, wrapping up the 2nd set 6-3 in a match time of 85 minutes.

Kirilenko Advances To Quarterfinals As No. 2 Safina Retires With Injury

Unseeded Maria Kirilenko of Russia advanced to the Quarterfinals of the 2010 Australian Open when compatriot, Dinara Safina suddenly retired with an injury during the 1st set of their 4th round match.

No. 2 Safina was facing set point, trailing 4-5 and serving at 30-40, when she limped to her changeover chair for a few moments, then walked up and shook Kirilenko’s hand.

Kirilenko ousted another Russian, Maria Sharapova in the first round, and it is the first time Kirilenko has reached the Quarterfinal of any Grand Slam.

Day One of 2010 Australian Open Dishes Up Just One Upset

Day one of the 2010 Australian Open went pretty much according to plan with only one major upset. No. 58 ranked Maria Kirilenko upset No. 14 seed, Maria Sharapova, in a long 3-set match, 7-6(7-4), 3-6, 6-4. Kirilenko is seen here being congratulated by Sharapova after their match.

All other seeded players playing the first day advanced to the second round, including No. 15 seed, Kim Clijsters, who is one of the favorites to win the tournament after winning the U.S. Open last year in her first Grand Slam appearance after coming out of retirement.

Sharapova Upset in Round One of 2010 Australian Open

It was a 1st-round Russian battle between two Marias, with Maria Sharapova coming out on the short end of the deal. After almost 3 1/2 hours of play, just short of a record 3 hours 33 minutes at the Australian Open, it was 58th ranked Maria Kirilenko prevailing over 14th ranked Sharapova in a tough 3-set fight, 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-4.

Sharapova was smiling in the photo as she hit the practice court before her first match. However, she is no longer smiling as she continues to struggle with her serve, committing 11 doubles faults, and adding 60 some unforced errors. It was Kirilenko who remained steady throughout the match, which gave Kirilenko perhaps the greatest victory of her career.

Kirilenko advances to the Final

Sexy cutie pie, Maria Kirilenko of Russia reached the Final of the WTA Barcelona Ladies Open held April 13-19, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain.

Kirilenko’s first two matches went just two sets, with wins over Camille Pin (6-2, 6-0), and Severine Bremond (7-5, 6-2). The next two matches proved to be a little tougher, but Kirilenko came out on top against Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (6-1, 3-6, 6-0) in the Quarterfinals, and Carla Suarez-Navarro in the Semifinals (4-6, 6-1, 6-2).

Kirilenko withdraws with knee injury

Maria Kirilenko, cutie pie from Russia, retired during the 2nd round of the WTA Monterrey Open March 5, 2009, in Monterrey, Mexico. She had an inflamed left knee and was not able to continue play. Kirilenko had lost the first set 4-6, and was down 1-4 when she withdrew.

Kirilenko also withdrew from the doubles tournament which she was playing with Flavia Pennetta.

That was a tough break for Kirilenko. This was the 1st tournament this year that she had advanced beyond the 1st round in singles. Hopefully she will be able to recover fully and be ready for the next tournament. She is scheduled to play Indian Wells March 11, 2009.

Kirilenko into round 2

Russian cutie pie, Maria Kirilenko, is through to the 2nd round of the 2009 WTA Monterrey Open being played in Monterrey, Mexico Mar 2-8.

The No. 8 seed, currently ranked 38th in the world, defeated No. 70 Marina Erakovic of Croatia. It was a straight sets victory, 6-4, 6-3.

Kirilenko has lost in the 1st round of three of the four tournaments she has played in this year. She made it to the 3rd round of the Australian Open, the only tournament she has advanced past the 1st round.

Kirilenko featured in SI Swimsuit issue.

Sexy tennis cutie pie, Maria Kirilenko, is one of three featured cutie pies appearing in the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. Maybe it’s time to skip tennis and head to the beach.

Kirilenko was photographed by Walter Iooss, Jr. in Cap Cana, Juanillo, Dominican Republic. Her swimsuit is by Salinas Swimwear.

For her full gallery, go to Sports Illustrated.

Kirilenko upset in opening round

Russian cutie pie, Maria Kirilenko, hits a shot against Sara Errani of Italy during their match on the opening day of the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 19, 2009. Errani won the match 6-0, 6-4.

It was a match-up of two closely ranked players. Kirilenko is ranked No. 30, and Errani is ranked No. 39. Kirilenko was seeded No. 27, and Errani was unseeded.

Other featured cutie pies who lost in the first round include:

• No. 52 ranked Nicole Vaidisova of Germany, defeated by No. 96 ranked Severine Bremond of France, 2-6, 1-6.