Hobart International: Semi-finals – Rybakina and Shuai advance to final
KAZAKHSTAN up-and-comer Elena Rybakina has made her second consecutive WTA Tour final after a three-set win over Great Britain’s Heather Watson today. The 20-year-old third seed made her way through to the Hobart International final, backing up the effort from her Shenzhen Open achievement where she made it through to the decider before going down to eventual winner, Ekaterina Alexandrova. Now through to the Hobart final, Rybakina will face fourth seed, China’s Zhang Shuai who toppled fifth seed Russian, Veronika Kudermetova.
In the thrilling three-set contest, Rybakina won a see-sawing affair, breaking her opponent five times from attacking the second term and achieving a 57.5 per cent second serve return rate on her way to a tough 6-4 3-6 6-4 victory in the semi-final. Rybakina also put down 10 aces to Watson’s four, though the Brit was consistent on her first serve, winning 70.2 per cent of points, but also missed out on more break point opportunities, with just three achieved from a possible seven. In the end, Rybakina had the slight upperhand throughout the contest.
It was more one-way traffic in the other final with Shuai proving too good for Kudermetova on her way to a 6-3 6-4 victory to book a spot in the final. Kudermetova had a free ride through to the semis after opponent and second seed, Garbine Muguruza had to withdraw from the quarter final clash due to injury, though Shuai raced through her quarter final to not make much of a difference when it came to on-court time. In the penultimate match, both players had two break point opportunities and Shuai took both, while Kudermetova was unable to capitalise on her chances. Shuai dominated across the serving statistics, recording an elite first serve percentage of 78.6, and won 77.3 per cent of her first serve points, making it hard for Kudermetova to get a look in. It was another clinical performance from the Chinese fourth seed who is now one win away from her third career title. The final is at 1pm tomorrow.
Semi-finals results:
[3] Elena Rybakina (KAZ) defeated Heather Watson (GBR) 6-3 4-6 6-4
[4] Zhang Shuai (CHN) defeated [5] Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) 6-3 6-4
Zheng back at brutal best, destroys Paolini
THERE was nowhere to hide for Italian Jasmine Paolini as Chinese world number seven Qinwen Zheng delivered a fatal blow to the fourth seed in Riyadh to reach the WTA Finals knockout stage. In what was a virtual elimination final to determine the second semi-finalist for the Orange Group, Zheng made light work of her […]
Coco through to WTA Finals semis with Swiatek upset
AMERICAN young gun Coco Gauff has secured her place in the WTA Finals knockout stages with a straight sets victory over world number two Iga Swiatek, securing Aryna Sabalenka as the year’s end world number one in the process. Gauff won 6-3 6-4 to ensure progression through to the semi-finals, defying history against the Polish […]
Sabs storms into semis after powering past Paolini
WORLD number one Aryna Sabalenka moved a step closer to retaining top spot in the world after fighting off a gallant Jasmine Paolini in straight sets at the WTA Finals in Riyadh overnight. With a semi-finals spot on the line for the winners after they won their respective first group matches, it was Sabalenka who […]
Ugo unravelled as Zverev takes Paris crown
THERE was no dream maiden ATP Masters success for local French hope Ugo Humbert, as new world number two Alexander Zverev played the role of party pooper and stormed to a straight sets win in Paris. Winning his first hardcourt title above 250 level since his severe ankle injury two years ago, Zverev won 6-2 […]
Paolini powers to WTA Finals win on debut
NEWCOMER to the WTA Finals event, Italian Jasmine Paolini showed she has no intention of making up the numbers, seeing off a somewhat rusty Elena Rybakina in straight sets overnight. The day one clash saw Paolini win 7-6 6-4 to get an early victory and give herself the best chance of reaching the coveted knockout […]
From Paris with Love: Humbert’s sweet homecoming
FRENCHMAN Ugo Humbert is in the form of his life and now will face off for the chance to win his first ever ATP Masters 1000 final in his home nation. Winning his semi-final against the equally red-hot but clearly injured Karen Khachanov, Humbert advanced through to the Paris decider against German Alexander Zverev on […]
Homecourt Humbert upsets Alcaraz
A RAUCOUS home crowd got Frenchman Ugo Humbert over the line against world number two Carlos Alcaraz to reach the quarter finals of the Paris ATP 1000 Masters. Humbert produced some lights out tennis, motivated by the fans driving him to a 6-1 3-6 7-5 epic victory. He looked to be doing it easy against […]
2024 WTA Finals preview: Singles
EIGHT players, one crown. That is what is in store for the prestigious WTA Finals which sees the best of the best going up against one another in a massive round-robin tournament. All four Grand Slam winners qualify automatically each year, with the remaining top ranked players for the calendar year filling out the eight […]
Popyrin powers to Paris pearler
AUSTRALIAN Alexei Popyrin has produced one of the best wins of his career, defeating fourth seed and US Open winner Daniil Medvedev in an incredible three-set match. Popyrin needed two and a half hours in Paris overnight to book his place in the ATP 1000 Masters Round of 16, winning 6-4 2-6 7-6. The deciding […]
