Vesnina hit a service return wide on the final point as the big crowd at stadium court cheered.
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The 23-year-old American, who had already won tournaments in Auckland and Acapulco this year, beat her Russian opponent 7-6 (4) 6-2 to take the title in Charleston.
Kerber appeared sluggish as Stephens raced through the opening set inside 24 minutes and after consulting with the doctor, the German continued for the second set but soon accepted defeat to a viral illness, handing Stephens a 6-1 3-0 victory.
Vesnina, who won the mixed doubles title at the Australian Open with Brazilian Bruno Soares, made the critical break in the sixth game of the third set for a 4-2 lead and broke again to secure her place in Sunday’s final.
All Offers and Promotions posted in this article excludes NSW residents. She is ranked No. 85 in the world, while Errani is No. 20.
“I wish Angie a speedy recovery, she’s a great girl – I’m happy to be in the final though”, said Stephens. “And it starts in the first few games in the first set that I was feeling that, yeah, something is not good”.
Defending champion Jack Sock beat top-seeded John Isner 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 Saturday to reach the final of the ATP clay court tournament in Houston. She surely knows well how to make the most of a second chance!
“So you have to be ready, and hopefully tomorrow it will be a great match between me and Sloane”.
Stephens battled through a stiff challenge in Vesnina, the tournament’s first qualifier to reach the final in its history.
Kerber was tested in the second round here, with Lara Arruabarrena pushing her to three sets. “It is my personal hope that Caroline Wozniacki still comes to the Olympics and I am confident the ITF (International Tennis Federation) will look at the overall circumstances surrounding the situation that suddenly arose”, DTF director Sune Irgens Alenkaer said.
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Elena Vesnina, of Russian Federation, hits a shot against Sara Errani, of Italy, during their semifinal tennis match at the Volvo Car Open in Charleston, S.C., Saturday, April 9, 2016. “So I think taking on that mindset has helped me because I’m going to be here on Sunday”.
