FLUSHING, New York—Christina McHale lost in straight sets, 6–2, 6–3 on Friday night under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, New York, against Maria Kirilenko, ending her memorable US Open run.
Kirilenko was in control the entire match, saying post-match, “I think I did everything right today. Even when we had very long points today and I knew what I had to do to win those points.”
McHale never seemed to settle into the match, the setting of such a big match getting to her. “I think it didn’t really help me, my nerves, tonight. I never really felt as comfortable as I wanted to feel on the court.”
McHale dropped five of the first six games in the first set, playing back instead of being aggressive. She showed moments of brilliance, specifically in the seventh game when she came back from 0–40 to win after a long rally. But those moments were few and far between.
Kirilenko went to the net 16 times during the first set, winning 14.
