The WTA Pattaya Open final takes place on Sunday between Daniela Hantuchova and Maria Kirilenko.
It's been a topsy-turvy week for Kirilenko who came close to crashing out of the event in the very first round. The Russian's backhand has been off radar all week and she had to save match point in round one before recovering from a set and 5-2 down to see off Anastasia Rodionova a couple of days later.
Even the semi-final with Sorana Cirstea was far from straighforward for Kirilenko who served for the match at 6-2, 5-4 but saw the contest prolonged by another hour as Cirstea fought back before ultimately going down 6-2, 5-7, 6-4.
However Kirilenko believes she is in with a chance against defending champion Hantuchova despite trailing 4-2 on the head-to-head.
"It will be a tough match for sure. She won the tournament last year. So she obviously likes the court but I am also playing well," Kirilenko insisted.
Hantuchova has eased through the rounds and is yet to be seriously tested. However she knows that Kirilenko will not be giving up without a fight.
Prediction: Hantuchova in three.
