Kirilenko prevails in Korea final, gains third title of season

In Seoul in 2007, Maria Kirilenko was beaten in three sets in the final, but the next year, it was her time to shine, as she has won the 2008 Hansol Korea Open.

Kirilenko rallied past Samantha Stosur in Sunday's final to win in three tough sets, 26 61 64.

"I was very happy to make it to the final a second time," said Kirilenko, who lost to Venus Williams in a thrilling 2007 final, 63 16 64. "My match against Kanepi was very difficult. I was down 2-0 in the third set and every game was really difficult. I was really challenging. I was relieved to win and move into the final."

"She started so fast and served so well, and for me it was difficult to return her serve," Kirilenko said. "In the second set I started to be more concentrated, because in the first set I was out of the game. I decided to play every ball, no matter what happened, and I just started to fight. It worked, and I'm very happy. The last two matches were really tough for me, so I'm feeling great right now."

"The momentum switched around; I got passive with the way I was playing and she stepped it up and became more aggressive," Stosur said. "It continued through 4-0 in the third. I knew I had to stop it. I started stepping up and going for it more, being more aggressive and taking some time away from her. And I got myself back in the match, but she played well at the end to finish it."

"In Tokyo I lost to Bartoli and at the US Open I lost to Paszek - those were both really tough first round matches," Kirilenko said. "This year I have had some ups and downs. I'm really trying to be more consistent in my results. If I was more consistent I think I would be ranked higher, maybe Top 10 or Top 15. But I have time to improve. I'm only 21 and I'll get more experience in the time to come."