Defending champion:
Petra Kvitová (10) who defeated Kiki Bertens 7-6(6) 4-6 6-3
Semi finals:
- Sloane Stephens (8) v Kiki Bertens (7)
The pair had met twice previously, once in 2013, and last year in the WTA Finals in Singapore. Stephens won both matches in three sets. Bertens wanted to reverse those results and return to the Madrid final where she appeared last year, only to lose to Kvitová. (who she defeated in this years quarter final)
Today, Bertens broke the Stephens serve in the opening game, winning the first three points from three unforced American errors, taken to 30-40 with errors of her own, then ending the game on another backhand error from Stephens.
Consolidating the break wasn’t a walk in the park, as Bertens was down 15-40. The break points were saved by a drop shot and a Stephens ambitious forehand. A double fault gave Stephens another break chance. This disappeared with a Stephens backhand failure. A fourth break opportunity arose through a double fault, but a complete mishit by Stephens saved Bertens who proceeded to hold for 2-0.
At 1-3, Stephens misfired an overhead and was overpowered by a Dutch forehand.0-30. A forehand down the line winner from Stephens and one cross court by Bertens presented the latter with two break points. Only one required as Bertens drilled a forehand winner for the double break 4-1.
1-5, and serving to stay in the set, Stephens slipped from 40-15 to set point down following a long forehand, and two Bertens forehand winners. Saved with an American down the line backhand winner. Stephens held for 2-5.
Serving for the set, Bertens reached 30-0 after two good first serves each receiving an error. 30-30 came about after a double fault, but a decent first serve produced a return error and set point. A netted American backhand closed the set for Bertens 6-2.
Set two saw Stephens retrieve her better tennis which she must have mislaid somewhere between the locker room and court. After five games, she led 3-2, no break points faced by either player. Bertens was finding it more difficult to hold service though. In three service games, Stephens had won 12 of 13 points, whereas Bertens had won 8 of 12.
In game six, the pressure finally converted on the scoreboard, when Bertens hit the net twice with a backhand, and went wide off the same wing to present Stephens with a pair of break points. One was saved. The next was converted with a backhand down the line, and Stephens led 4-2.
In attempting to consolidate, Stephens ran into trouble - at 30-30, a mishit forehand gave Bertens a break back point. It was saved. A second chance was was also wasted by the seventh seed, but third time lucky when a double fault surrendered the game to Bertens and the set was back on serve
The next two games were service holds, leaving Bertens at 4-5 needing to hold again to stay in the set.
Bertens was facing triple set point following two netted forehands and a powerful Stephens forehand forcing another mistake. An ace saved one. A backhand miss by Stephens saved another, and a forehand stuff up by the American brought it to deuce. Bertens wasted one game point with a wayward forehand, but she won the last two points of the game, sealed with a forehand winner.
Stephens, with a mishit overhead, a netted backhand, and way long forehand, faced break point. Stephens saved it with smart all court tennis. A backhand error produced another break chance. The break emerged once the American backhand was a repeat disaster.
Bertens would serve for the match at 6-5.
15-0 after a Stephens forehand blunder. 15-15:with a backhand error from Bertens. Service winner and 30-15. Backhand error from Stephens and two match points. A wide American backhand ended the contest.
Kiki Bertens won 6-2 7-5.
- Simona Halep (3) defeated Belinda Bencic 6-2 6-7(2) 6-0, and will play Kiki Bertens in the final.
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