Semi final day in Dubai:
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships - a WTA Premier 5 category tournament, on Hard Decoturf, in Dubai, UAE, 17-23 February 2019.
Defending champion:
Elina Svitolina who defeated Dasha Kasatkina 6-4 6-0
Su-Wei Hsieh v Petra Kvitova (2)
The pair struggled to gain the initiative through the first six games of set one, but it was Hsieh who seized the advantage when she broke the Kvitová serve twice in the next three games to take the set 6-3.
Things changed dramatically in set two where the second seed achieved two breaks immediately to lead 4-1.
A well struck winner brought up two game points for a 5-1 lead, but some loose shots off the Czech racquet ended up with deuce.
Kvitová had to fight away break points but ultimately held firm.
Hsieh saved three set points, the first with an ace. 5-2
Serving for the set, Kvitová was met with a return forehand winner. 15-30 after an unforced Czech error. A brilliant volley from Hsieh and break point. Saved with a brutal Kvitová forehand. An overhead sealed the set 6-2.
Continuing the run, Kvitová broke in the decider to lead 1-0, but Hsieh responded with a love game to break straight back. From 30-15 up, Hsieh dropped serve again, Kvitová hitting winners from either side.
Kvitová consolidated with an excellent service hold, three clean winners included. 3-1.
Hsieh saved break points to stay in touch at 2-3.
Kvitová then had game points to keep the break advantage, and hit some exquisite winners, but Hsieh denied her on a number of occasions with wonderful tennis of her own. Break points were saved by the second seed in a lengthy game which had just about everything and finally Kvitová held for 4-2.
Each player continued to hold serve, in the face of stubborn resistance, until Kvitová came to the line leading 5-4.
No troubles experienced in a love game to wrap up the match.
Petra Kvitová defeated Su-Wei Hsieh 4-6 6-2 6-4 in a fantastic battle between two players delivering top grade tennis.
Petra will contest her first Dubai final since she won the title in 2013
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