Lucie Safarova powered past Angeline Kerber 6-4, 6-3 on Friday (Oct 30) at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals but missed out on the slot in the last four. Which two players have the biggest chance? They were counting. Okay, she won one set, now you must win just one set.
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Garbine Muguruza and Eugenie Bouchard share many similarities, having taken women’s tennis by storm in their respective breakout years. “Like when it’s really counting for something, you should play like the same time”, said the World No 7. “I was so nervous and she made sure I had to concentrate and give it my best and I can’t be happier with this ending”.
And each one of those words is true! The French Open runner-up had not won a match since New Haven in August and has struggled with a bacterial infection that hospitalised her after the US Open.
Muguruza is feeling confident heading into the contest and is keeping her fingers crossed that the brilliant displays can continue for the remainder of the competition.
Kvitova will take on Russian Maria Sharapova in her semifinal matchup.
However, it could still go all wrong for the Spanish No. 1.
“Well, I went to the court thinking that I want to win the match, not only a set or just to qualify”, she said.
Sharapova, who has looked revitalised after months out with injury, will face Kvitova.
Muguruza is bracing herself for a very demanding Saturday as she will also play the doubles semi with compatriot Carla Suarez Navarro against Czechs Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka. I think I played great.
She told the media that she hoped she had a little of the charisma that draws Nadal in to the ATP crowds but it is a tired road for the end of the year for her as she is now in the frame for the semi-finals of both the singles and the doubles. It was her toughest match yet, setting up a match against Agnieszka Radwanska.
After tussling on the court, it was Kvitova who grabbed a crucial break to win the set before taking a 2-0 lead at the beginning of the deciding set.
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The 22-year-old dropped her racket and let out a yelp of pain when she turned her ankle in the ninth game and while her movement appeared unaffected, her accuracy faltered as she allowed Kvitova to level the match with another break.
