WTA Tour wrap: Finalists decided with fresh faces looking to make breakthroughs
PLENTY of intrigue surrounds the trio of WTA Tour finals taking place tonight, with an all-Czech battle, and couple of first time finalists taking centre stage following a huge round of semi-finals overnight.
Success will be had by a Czech on home soil as Barbora Krejcikova and Tereza Martincova go head-to-head for the Prague Open title, after both claiming straight sets wins. Second seed Krejcikova earned a 6-1 6-2 win over Wang Xifan in 69 minutes, while eighth seed Martincova was too strong in a tighter 6-3 6-4 clash with Greet Minnen, requiring 87 minutes.
Krejcikova’s excellent form has continued at home, reaching her fifth career final – fourth for the year – as Martincova has entered her maiden career WTA Tour level final. The higher ranked Czech won a whopping 84 per cent of her first serve points to claim victory.
In Switzerland, Clara Burel came from behind to earn her WTA Tour final debut in an all-French battle against Caroline Garcia, eventually claiming the 5-7 6-2 6-2 victory in two hours and 25 minutes. Top seed Tamara Zidansek is also yet to claim a title and will go head-to-head with Burel, ousting Belgian Maryna Zanevska 7-5 6-3 in the process.
Former junior number one Burel will be dealt a tough task by Zidansek, who was consistent on serve and saved six of nine break points on her way to victory. On the other hand, Burel will be the underdog, despite firing on all cylinders throughout the second and third sets against Garcia.
In Hungary, top seed Yulia Putintseva will look for her second career title following a topsy-turvy 6-2 3-6 6-2 victory over Italian Dalma Galfi, set to take on Ukrainian first-time finalist Anhelina Kalinina next. Winning the first set in a tiebreaker, Kalinina had all the momentum in her favour before second seed Danielle Collins retired 7-6(5) 4-1 down in the second.
PRAGUE OPEN SEMI-FINALS RESULTS:
[2] Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) defeated Wang Xinyu (CHN) 6-1 6-2
[8] Tereza Martincova (CZE) defeated [9] Greet Minnen (BEL) 6-3 6-4
LADIES OPEN LAUSANNE SEMI-FINALS RESULTS:
[1] Tamara Zidansek (SLO) defeated Maryna Zanevska (BEL) 7-5 6-3
Clara Burel (FRA) defeated [5] Caroline Garcia (FRA) 5-7 6-2 6-2
HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX SEMI-FINALS RESULTS:
[1] Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) defeated Dalma Galfi (ITA) 6-2 3-6 6-2
Anhelina Kalinina (UKR) defeated [2] Danielle Collins (USA) 7-6 4-1 RET
Picture credit: Livesport Prague Open
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