ANGELIQUE Kerber has earned a place in the 2021 Bad Homburg Open final after fighting through two tough matches on a catch-up day at the German grass court event. Fourth seed Kerber had to overcome an early fight from American Amanda Anisimova in the quarter finals, winning 2-6 6-3 6-3, before then struggling in an epic battle against rival and top seed Petra Kvitova, 3-6 6-4 7-6.

The final set tiebreaker went to 7-3 before the German saluted in the 15th meeting between the pair. The win allowed Kerber to reach her first WTA Tour final in two years, and evened up the head-to-head a little more to only trail by one (7-8).

“I was really fighting until the end, and I was trying to believe that I can win the match and turn around the third set,” Kerber said post-match. “Of course, the crowd, when you play at home, the atmosphere here is amazing.”

Kerber’s long day certainly tested her, spending more time on court than anyone else, and especially her next opponent – Katerina Siniakova – who stands between the home nation hero and the Bad Homburg title.

“I don’t know when I [last] played six sets in one day, I think it’s a long, long time ago,” Kerber said. “But physically I’m feeling good. I will try to recover as fast as possible before tomorrow.”

Siniakova did not drop a set in her two matches, winning 7-5 6-4 against eighth seed German Laura Siegemund in the quarter finals, before posting a straightforward 6-2 6-4 victory over seventh seed Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo. Kerber, who is going for her 31st WTA Tour title and looking to win for the fifth time in six meetings over Siniakova said she knew it would not be easy.

“[Siniakova] is another tough opponent, and she played well today, she also played two matches,” Kerber said, looking ahead to the final. “I think I will go out there, try to play aggressive, thinking more [about] what I want to do and how I played today, and try to continue this for tomorrow’s match and enjoy the final.”

The Czech said she was looking forward to the final, having never reached a grass court final before, and it would be her first singles final of the year.

“I’ve never been in a final on grass courts, so I was really fighting the grass,” Siniakova said -post-match. “But I think I can suit my game to the grass, so I’m really happy that I won four matches and I’m in the final.”

Meanwhile a dominant performance from Latvian wildcard Jelena Ostapenko set up an all-Baltic final with Estonian Anett Kontaveit. The small neighbouring nations will have plenty of interest in the Viking International Eastbourne final, after Ostapenko destroyed the in-form Elena Rybakina in straight sets, 6-4 6-1. Kontaveit had an easier time with her opponent, Italian Camila Giorgi forced tor retire due to injury after only five games.

“I’m really happy with the way I played this week, and every match I played better and better,” Ostapenko said post-match. “It’s been a while [since making a] final, so I’m really happy to be in a final and looking forward to tomorrow’s match.”

A former Roland Garros champion, the world number 43 is gunning to overturn two losses in the head-to-head with Kontaveit, and will hope to win her third career WTA Tour singles title, whilst Kontaveit is focused on winning her second overall title.

“It’s actually nice to have a Baltic final, because [we’re] not such big countries, but we still have good players,” Ostapenko said. “Anett, I know since juniors. “We have been playing a lot, maybe not so many matches but we practice sometimes together, in juniors, and played even doubles. So I know her quite well.”

Kontaveit said she was ready to take on Ostapenko and was looking forward to the challenge of taking down her Latvian friend.

“[Ostapenko] hits the ball very hard and takes it very early, I’ll have to be ready for that,” Kontaveit said. “We have played each other quite a few times back in the years, I think. “Not in the recent few years, but I know what to be ready for. “She’s a very good player.”

VIKING INTERNATIONAL EASTBOURNE SEMI-FINALS RESULTS:

[WC] Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) defeated Elena Rybakina (KAZ) 6-4 6-1
Anett Kontaveit (EST) defeated Camila Giorgi (ITA) 5-4 RET

BAD HOMBURG OPEN SEMI-FINALS RESULTS:

[4] Angelique Kerber (GER) defeated [1] Petra Kvitova (CZE) 3-6 6-4 7-6
Katerina Siniakova (CZE) defeated [7] Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP) 6-2 6-4

BAD HOMBURG OPEN QUARTER FINALS RESULTS:

[1] Petra Kvitova (CZE) defeated [5] Nadia Podoroska (ARG) 6-3 7-6
[4] Angelique Kerber (GER) defeated Amanda Anisimova (USA) 2-6 6-3 6-3
Katerina Siniakova (CZE) defeated [8] Laura Siegemund (GER) 7-5 6-4

Picture credit: Sportfoto Zimmer/Maurer