Analysis for Kirilenko-Benesova (WTA Estoril)

Head-to-head record 1:0

Maria Kirilenko will face in-form playing Iveta Benesova of Czech Republic. Maria Kirilenko is a better ranked player but her current form is questionable as she lost 5 games in a row before the Estoril Open. At the Australian Open, Kirilenko reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her career, by beating Anna Chakvetadze in three sets. Her next opponent was Daniela Hantuchova, to whom she lost in the fourth round. After Australian Opne, she won just 1 out of 6 matches she played and wasn´t impressive even here in Estoril dropping a set to both Vogele and Zakopalova. She is well known for her technical skills, enabling her to produce a wide array of shots with finesse. She lacks the power possessed by many of her contemporaries and therefore, she relies on low error-rates and good shot selection to keep opponents off-balance. Her game is all about mental condition - she is a very talented player and when she plays in a good mood with confidence, her play is 100% better. Her opponent will be Iveta Benesova from Czech Republic. Benesova uses extreme topspin on her forehand and slower topspin and slice on her backhand. She prefers clay courts and is patient baseliner who wins matches by disrupting her opponents' rhythm through changes of spin, pace, depth, height, and angle. She plays in a great shape on clay courts this year winning 15 out of 19 matches she played on this surface. Among others, she eliminated no 1 seeded, Flavia Pennetta easily in straight sets. We think she is able to repeat that success and odds around 2.5 are worth taking for us.