The semi finals were scheduled for Sydney on 11 January with Australia represented in both the men’s and women’s draws.
ATP
Sydney International semi finals
Andreas Seppi (8) defeated Diego Schwartzman (3) 7-6(3) 6-4
The poor weather prevented the second semi final from being played.
Gilles Simon (4) and Alex de Minaur (5) will contest their match on Finals day, the winner to meet Andreas Seppi in the big one.
WTA
Sydney International semi finals
Kiki Bertens (7) v Ash Barty
Barty served first, and a forehand winner from each player signalled the standard to be expected. Barty comfortably held for 1-0
Bertens won the opening point with excellent net play, and a winning forehand helped her to a love game 1-1
Loose shots from Bertens, and Barty had herself a love game to move ahead 2-1. A backhand down the line winner gave Bertens two game points, but Barty took it to deuce. However, Bertens came forward to good effect and held serve 2-2
From 30-0, Barty’s backhand let her down three times, providing Bertens with the first break point of the match. Barty couldn’t save it and the Dutch number one led 3-2.
30-0, including a forehand winner, Bertens similarly lost focus, a double fault not helpful. A deep Barty slice forced an error and a break point.
A terrific forehand achieved the break back and 3-3.
Bertens ran Barty all around the court and the Aussie again was in a tight spot at 15-30. Three big serves put the ship right, an ace finally taking Barty ahead 4-3
A glorious forehand cross court pass, followed by an ace, brought Bertens a 30-0 position, and two more aces impressed. 4-4.
30-30, and Barty struggling on serve, her 40% first delivery not assisting.
A failed forehand gave Bertens break point. Two netted shots from Bertens and a clutch Barty serve rescued the Australian from potential peril. Bertens needing to hold to stay in the set.
She did, and a tie break eventually arrived, Bertens saving a set point at 5-6
Barty was ahead 4-1 with a mini break, but Bertens cleaned up from there, putting away an ineffective Barty lob, then attacking with the familiar forehand for two more points and 4-4.
A Barty double fault and a Dutch off forehand winner gave Bertens two set points. An ace produced a 7-6(4) result for Kiki.
Another ace began set two for Bertens, and she cruised to a 1-0 lead, having won the last 10 points of the match.
A neat half volley and ace steadied things for Barty 1-1.
Barty produced a magic forehand pass to prevent another Bertens love game, but that was her only joy as Kiki kicked it to 2-1.
Barty found it easier when levelling at 2-2.
The hurt of a Bertens double fault was softened somewhat by the ace which came next, but she faced a break point after a successful Barty sliced lob.
The break came with a forehand pass and Barty was in the match, leading 3-2 in set two.
Barty maintained the break throughout the rest of the set, saving two break back points in the eighth game.
The set was taken 6-4 and a decider needed.
In set three, the pair decided that holding serve was a matter of course, and it played out that way. Barty lifted her first serve percentage to just over fifty - she won 14 of 16 points on her initial delivery, and of more import, 11 of 15 when a second crack was required.
Bertens was equally impressive when using her second serve, winning 10 of 14 points.
So it wasn’t surprising that the set reached 5-5 and only a single break point had to be negotiated, by Barty in the eighth game (the same point as she saved herself in set two).
In game eleven, a great return forced a Bertens error, and a double fault had the Dutch player down 0-30. Two Australian misses and 30-30.
An exceptional backhand volley at full stretch from Ash Barty earned her a break point. Bertens pushed a forehand wide and Barty broke to lead 6-5 with the chance to serve for the match.
Playing to the Bertens backhand, Barty found two errors and she was suddenly in possession of three match points.
When a Bertens forehand hit the bottom of the net, Ash Barty had won her way into a second successive Sydney final 6-7(4) 6-4 7-5
Wildcard Petra Kvitová (5) defeated qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-1 6-2 in a semi final which finished after midnight due to rain delay.
Petra will play Ash Barty in the final, which means the Australian will be required to overcome the fourth successive player ranked higher than her to win the title. She has dismissed Halep, Mertens and Bertens so far.
No comments:
Post a Comment