2020 Libema Open fantasy tennis: Top seeds advance to semi-finals
WHILST the respective top seeds survived the quarter finals, there were still a number of upsets across both the men’s and women’s competitions at the 2020 Libema Open fantasy tennis tournaments.
Top seed in the ATP Tour’s tournament Roger Federer got up with a straight sets win over eighth seed Brit Daniel Evans. The tournament favourite cruised to victory courtesy of some terrific shot making and booked his spot in the next round. He takes on third seed David Goffin who lived up to his seeded billing with an identical 6-3 6-4 victory. Goffin knocked out South African qualifier Kevin Anderson to set up the meeting with Federer.
In the other half of the draw, both the seeded players lost with an unseeded semi-final to take place. Japan’s Kei Nishikori kept his hot form going with a strong straight sets win over Chilean fifth seed Cristian Garin, 7-5 6-1. In the other match, Frenchman Benoit Paire moved into the final eight with an equally impressive 6-4 6-4 triumph over Australian seventh seed Alex de Minaur. Nishikori and Paire now go head-to-head for a spot in the final.
ATP QUARTER FINALS RESULTS:
[1] Roger Federer (SUI) defeated [8] Daniel Evans (GBR) 6-3 6-4
[3] David Goffin (BEL) defeated [Q] Kevin Anderson (RSA) 6-3 6-4
Kei Nishikori (JPN) defeated [5] Cristian Garin (CHI) 7-5 6-1
Benoit Paire (FRA) defeated [7] Alex de Minaur (AUS) 6-4 6-4
In the women’s brackets, the top seed in Karolina Pliskova made it through after overcoming an early challenge. She defeated Russian Veronika Kudermetova 7-5 6-2 to book a spot in the semi-finals. Pliskova now faces the next highest remaining seed in sixth seed Alison Riske. The American talent knocked off third seed Kiki Bertens in what was no doubt a blow to the Dutch crowd who would have loved to see their hero go all the way. Riske had to fight hard in three sets but eventually got the better of Bertens 6-2 6-7 6-3.
In the other half of the draw, eighth seed Johanna Konta put an end to German Angelique Kerber’s winning run. The Brit took down the tough German in straight sets, 7-6 6-2 to play Slovenian Polona Hercog in the semi-finals. Hercog made it through after ousting Kristyna Pliskova and closing the door on a potential all-Pliskova final. Now she will look to cause an upset against the highly rated Konta.
WTA QUARTER FINALS RESULTS:
[1] Karolina Pliskova (CZE) defeated Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) 7-5 6-2
[6] Alison Riske (USA) defeated [3] Kiki Bertens (NED) 6-2 6-7 6-3
[8] Johanna Konta (GBR) defeated Angelique Kerber (GER) 7-6 6-2
Polona Hercog (SLO) defeated Kristyna Pliskova (CZE) 6-3 6-7 6-4
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