Semi final:
Barbora Krejcikova (Czech Republic) v Maria Sakkari (17) (Greece)
The pair had met twice previously, once in 2014. The recent clash was in Dubai in March this year. Krejcikova won both times, in straight sets.
The first three games had many unforced errors and hardly any winners ended points. Serves were broken on each occasion. It wasn’t until a blistering forehand from Sakkari in her second service game, that things were set alight. She held serve to lead 3-1.
Another winner from Greece plus more loose tennis from Krejcikova saw the Czech player down 0-30. A backhand down the line winner from Sakkari and two break points. A netted Greek forehand saw one disappear. A Sakkari forehand into the net and it was deuce. A Krejcikova ace and forehand winner eventually overcame the negative stuff and a double break was avoided. 3-2 Sakkari.
Backhand winner from Sakkari to start game six. Then two errors from that wing. Krejcikova missed with her backhand and 30-30. A Krejcikova drop shot winner took it to deuce. Break point after Sakkari put a forehand wide. Saved. A wonderful Czech backhand set up another break chance. Converted once Sakkari netted a backhand. 3-3.
Comfortable hold for Krejcikova who led for the first time 4-3.
Three errors, not all unforced, from Sakkari, and three break points. One saved, but a lob winner did the trick for Krejcikova and she led 5-3.
Serving for the set, Krejcikova felt the might of a Greek forehand winner. A Czech error and 0-30. A Sakkari forehand winner and three break back points. A double fault and 4-5 for Sakkari.
Two love games and Krejcikova led 6-5.
Forehand miss and backhand winner plus double fault equaled 15-30 for Sakkari. A long forehand from her gave Krejcikova two set points.
A wide forehand was enough to give the set to Krejcikova 7-5.
Set two saw Sakkari revitalised, breaking Krejcikova twice, not necessarily through the errors of her opponent but because of impressive ball striking.
Krejcikova struck back in game six, retrieving one of the breaks.
At 2-4, Krejcikova found trouble once more, down 15-40. Both break points were saved. A service winner from Krejcikova brought her game point. Service held for 3-4.
A Sakkari backhand winner for 30-0. Momentum with the 17th seed, a love game and 5-3.
Two successive aces from Krejcikova helped her to 4-5 and force Sakkari to serve for the set.
A Krejcikova netted forehand was followed by a great backhand which forced a Sakkari mistake. Another Greek error was replicated by Krejcikova for 30-30. A wide Krejcikova backhand and set point. Saved when Sakkari netted a forehand. An ace for a second set point. A long Sakkari forehand and deuce again. A third set point after a backhand miss from Krejcikova. Set to Sakkari 6-4 after a strong backhand caused Krejcikova havoc.
From 30-15 in game three of the decider, Krejcikova relented and Sakkari broke for 2-1. Consolidation followed, after saving of a break back point.
In game six, Krejcikova hit a brilliant down the line backhand, and Sakkari was down 0-30 after netting a backhand. However, she recovered to hold serve and lead 4-2.
A Krejcikova forehand cross court winner followed an exchange of errors. An effective Sakkari return then made it 30-30. A backhand winner was enough for Krejcikova to ultimately hold for 3-4.
Sakkari opened game eight with two backhand winners in the first three points. A big serve and a netted Krejcikova backhand took Sakkari to within a game of the final.
Poor Krejcikova shots from both sides gave Sakkari the edge, and when a Czech forehand failed to make it over the net, Sakkari had match point.
A backhand saved the day, and Krejcikova proceeded to hold serve.
Serving for the match, Sakkari hit two forehands long. A Krejcikova backhand error and a Sakkari service winner made it 30-30.
Netted Sakkari forehand and break point. Backhand winner to save it. Failed attempt at a drop shot and second break point.
Sakkari’s backhand into the net and 5-5.
Both players held serve easily for 6-6. A love game from Krejcikova and she led 7-6.
Serving to stay in the match again, Sakkari outlasted Krejcikova in a long first rally. A Krejcikova forehand winner and 15-15. A backhand miss by Sakkari and 15-30. A netted backhand from Sakkari and two match points for Krejcikova.
Both saved. A third one also saved. Sakkari held and the battle continued.
Under pressure, Krejcikova pulled out some excellent shots to take the 8-7 advantage.
At 30-15, Sakkari suffered a backhand winner from Krejcikova, then double faulted, giving the Czech player her fourth match point. On a replayed point, Sakkari saved things with a backhand winner. Game point after a Krejcikova backhand sailed long. Deuce again with Sakkari missing a forehand.
A Sakkari forehand missed wide and a fifth match point was presented to Krejcikova.
A backhand winner finished the match, with Krejcikova winning a fantastic contest 7-5 4-6 9-7.
The final will be between Barbora Krejcikova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (31), and the victor will own their first major.
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