Alisa Kleybanova is up against Flavia Pennetta in the last eight of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Kleybanova created something of a stir on Thursday by outhitting second seed Vera Zvonareva 6-3, 6-2. The fast conditions suited the aggressive Kleybanova, whose big serve proved to be the cornerstone of her success, smashing down six aces.
"I've beaten Vera once before, so when I walked on the court today I believed I can win and I am better," Kleybanova said. "I think the biggest advantage for me is that the courts here are fast, so my game has been working well here."
The past few seasons have seen the growing success of Italian tennis particularly in the women's game. While Francesca Schiavone has taken most of the plaudits, Flavia Pennetta has gradually been establishing herself as a force to reckon with at the highest level. She stunned seventh seed Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 6-7, 6-4 in the third round.
Most importantly Pennetta appears to have a bit of a hold over Kleybanova, winning all three of their matches in the past year. Kleybanova has yet to even get a set with Pennetta winning 7-6, 6-1 in Paris, 6-3, 6-3 in Montreal and 6-4, 6-4 in New Haven.
