Maria Kirilenko sails into second round of Rome Masters

Maria Kirilenko has nabbed a place in the second round of the Rome Masters with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Anabel Medina Garrigues.

Kirilenko started the clash on the front foot, issuing strong serves and swift returns to hold her games, while Garrigues struggled to overpower her opponent on the court to get a vital break point.

Instead, Kirilenko snatched the advantage to grab a one-set lead in Rome, swaying the momentum in her favour over Garrigues, who was unable to impose her game in the opening set.

The Spaniard improved in the second set by holding her service games, but the 12th seed continued to respond and grabbed a break to push on and clinch the game and a place in the next phase of the competition.