Mertens dashes Saville’s Hobart hopes
AUSTRALIAN hopeful Daria Saville‘s run at the Hobart International has ended in the semi finals, after being bested by Elise Mertens over three sets, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5. Having been pushed to a third set, Mertens broke in the 11th game of the decider and converted her serve to fell the home crowd favourite.
Despite the loss, Saville is well poised for a strong Australian Open run having been granted a wildcard entry. The world number 133 will take on 72-ranked Polish player Magdalena Frech in the opening round of her home grand slam, which kicks off tomorrow.
Meanwhile Mertens, the top seed and a two-time winner in Hobart (2017, 2018), will have to get past second seed Emma Navarro to claim a third title. The American beat Yue Yuan in straight sets to make it a fitting 1v2 matchup in today’s final, set to get underway at 1:00pm local time.
This will be the first time the pair has faced off, marking new ground among the WTA Tour’s top 30. It will also be Navarro’s maiden WTA Tour Final, with the 22-year-old much less experienced compared to eight-time singles title winner, Mertens.
Results | Day 5 (Semi Finals):
E. Navarro [2] def. Y. Yuan 6-4, 6-3
E. Mertens [1] def. D. Saville 6-4, 4-6, 7-5
Final Draw:
E. Mertens [1] vs. E. Navarro [2]
OSTAPENKO ADVANCES TO ADELAIDE DECIDER
Jelena Ostapenko is in the box seat to sweep up the Adelaide International title after progressing to the final with a straight sets win over Ekaterina Alexandrova, 6-2, 7-6. Having bossed the first set, the Latvian powered home from 3-3 in the third set tiebreak to punch her ticket to the decider.
Seeded sixth at the tournament, Ostapenko is now the top-ranked player remaining after second seed Jessica Pegula withdrew from her semi final matchup with Daria Kasatkina. Ostapenko missed her doubles match on Thursday with a leg complaint, but showed no such signs of ailment yesterday.
“It was a tough match, she is a tough player, she served really big,” Ostapenko said post-match. “I feel I am playing more aggressively and I was finding the chances and taking them.”
Results | Day 5 (Semi Finals):
D. Kasatkina def. J. Pegula [2] (WO)
J. Ostapenko [6] def. E. Alexandrova 6-2, 7-6
Final Draw:
J. Ostapenko [6] vs. D. Kasatkina
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