(March 13, 2013) Maria Kirilenko outlasted fifth seed Petra Kvitova in 90 degree heat 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to move into her first BNP Paribas Open semifinal. For the second straight day she has taken out a top ten player. Kirilenko defeated world No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska in her round of 16 match.
“I have two wins over top 10 players, and now I feel that I can be on this level, Kirilenko said. “Yeah, like nothing is scary out there.
So I can compete, and as you can see, like, I can beat them.”
Kirilenko has been a marathon woman this week with all four of her matches going a full three sets spending more than 10 hours on court this tournament.
“It was really hot today,” the Russian said. “Because we did not have long points. That’s why it was not too bad. Like if would play Agnieszka (Radwanska) today, would be, I don’t know, the worst.
To hockey fans, Kirilenko is better known as the fiancé of Washington Capitols star Alex Ovechkin. No date for the wedding has been set yet, but they’ve been talking about it.
“Difficult because I’m playing and Alex is playing,” said the Russian. “We are just in the period of talking what’s the best. We will find the right day.”
“I’m so busy here,” Kirilenko said when asked about a wedding dress.
“How you want me to be, focus on the dress?”
“I think all the young girls, they want to have the best dress, the best wedding, and everything the best.”
Kirilenko will play the winner of the Maria Sharaopva – Sara Errani quarterfinal on Friday.