Kitana thrives in the neutral game. Spacing and whiff punishing are very important since her combo starters are slower than alot of the cast (13f & 17f). She has an amazing J2 that can lead into a full combo. She doesn't do as much damage as the high tiers either. You'll want to stay about the same distance as the start of the match, maybe a bit further. Try to bait out an whiff, punish them and try to keep the pressure. She is safe on most strings, but not plus on block. If you get blocked, go on the defense until its your turn again.
Combo starters -
B231 is a dial in combo, you must punch in all 3 buttons, or only the B2 will come out. The first hit is a 17f mid with great range and safe on block. You'll want to wait until the second hit before cancelling into the extender. This is also the easiest way to the DF2 crushing blow, her big damage combo ender, since it has 4 hits. You have 4 main options on block with this string. Go on defense (block), finish the string (B231343) to try to catch them pushing buttons, finish the string (B231D2) with an overhead KB (this is useful if they're crouch blocking, but has a gap) or throw if they're blocking alot (very risky, but doable on a read).
B14 is a 13f mid with decent range, and has 3 hits. This also leads to the KB, but it's very difficult for a beginner. It is barely safe on block at -7. You can finish the string (B142) to make is safe and will lead to a KB. The requirement is punish or kounter, so a whiff punish in neutral or catching them pushing a button after B14.
Combo enders -
BF3 is what you'll use if you don't want to switch sides. Amplify for max damage (outside of KB).
DF2 is what you'll use if you want to switch sides. It does more damage than the basic version of BF3. This is where you get your big damage KB, it must be a combo of 8 or more.
Combo extender -
DB2 is basically her only combo extender, unless you're doing advanced combos on the corner, in which you'll still have to use it.
J2 is needed after DB2 for any kind of decent damage really. After J2, you'll need an advancing attack to link the ender. You can use F2, B1, B12, etc. I always found F2 to be easiest.
Combos -
Using the strings I just mentioned, piece together a combo. It's very important to get the timing down, don't just mash as fast as possible. Your wife picked a tough character to start with, but she's awesome and I love her (Kitana, not your wife). If you want to see the best Kitana in the world, bar none, look up Semiij to get a better grasp on playing her.
Starter, Extender x3, Ender
B14xDB2, J2, F2xBF3
B231xDB2, J2, F2xDF2*KB (this is the easiest way to KB imo)
I hope this helped!
