THE semi-finals are done and dusted at both the Palermo Ladies Open and Poland Open, with some intriguing clashes finalising the trophy matches.

In Italy, number one seed Danielle Collins continued her excellent run with another win over a seeded competitor, downing China’s Zhang Shuai 6-4 6-3 to earn her maiden tour-level final opportunity. The 75-minute clash saw Collins pile on seven aces on her way to a 76.5 per cent win rate off her first serve, backing it up on her second serve winning over 50 per cent of points. The American top seed also saved five of Zhang’s six break point opportunities, converting three of her own. Collins will take on qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the final tomorrow, with the in-form Romanian heading into her second consecutive final after claiming the Hamburg European Open title in early July. Ruse required bang on three hours to overcome sixth seed Frenchwoman Oceane Dodin in three, utilising Dodin’s high unforced error rate (22 double faults for seven aces) to claim the 6-7(4) 7-6 6-1 victory. The hard-fought clash saw neither player give an inch, with Dodin saving a whopping 18 of Ruse’s break points, as fatigue crept into the clash, before Ruse completed the clash with an excellent third set, winning 77.3 per cent of her first serve points to take out victory.

In Poland, an unseeded final will take place between Belgian Maryna Zanevska and Slovakian Kristina Kucova, with Kucova ultimately earning an easy entry to the final with a 6-0 6-3 sweep of German Tamara Korpatsch. Requiring just 73 minutes to claim victory, Kucova won a whopping 87 per cent of her first serve points and converted six of her 11 break point opportunities to run away with the speedy victory. Zanevska’s two hour clash went far differently, firing out of the blocks before allowing her opposition in Kateryna Kozlova to get a look in during the second, before running home with the 6-2 4-6 6-3 victory. Zanevska was marginally more impactful overall, winning 54.5 per cent of the total points to claim the win, converting six of 10 break points and saving 50 per cent.

PALERMO LADIES OPEN SEMI FINALS RESULTS:

[1] Danielle Collins (USA) defeated [4] Zhang Shuai (CHN) 6-4 6-3
Elena-Gabriela Ruse (ROU) defeated [6] Oceane Dodin (FRA) 6-7 7-6 6-1

BNP PARIBAS POLAND OPEN SEMI FINALS RESULTS:

Maryna Zanevska (BEL) defeated Kateryna Kozlova (UKR) 6-2 4-6 6-3
Kristina Kucova (SVK) defeated Tamara Korpatsch (GER) 6-0 6-3

Picture credit: Palermo Ladies Open