Defending champion:
Wang Qiang (3) who defeated Yulia Putintseva (5) 6-1 6-2
Semi final results
- Viktorija Golubic v wildcard Samantha Stosur
Coming into their first meeting, the Swiss player, ranked 73, had a 29-21 year to date win loss record. Stosur, now ranked 129, had a less productive record of 15-21, yet her form in Guangzhou confounded the stats, reminding us of the abilities of the 2011 US Open champion.
Golubic opened well, breaking the Stosur serve in the first game. Stosur wasted a 0-40 situation and failed to break back, but Golubic achieved a double break and a 3-0 lead.
Although taken to deuce in her next two service games Golubic held on and eased to a 6-2 set win.
Stosur gained the initiative in set two, converting her third break point in game four to lead 3-1. The Australian saved a break point in a lengthy fifth game, eventually consolidating her break.
No more break opportunities until the eighth game and Stosur served at 5-3 for the equalising set.
From 30-30, Golubic won two straight points to break back for 4-5.
Stosur had two set points on the Swiss serve at 5-6, but Golubic survived, and a tie break was required.
Stosur looked solid at 5-1 in the tie break, and with two serves to come at 5-2, seemed certain to prevail. Golubic fought hard though, and won both points.
Stosur steadied and won the next two points and the set 7-6(4).
Set three was full of break opportunities for Stosur. She converted four of nine, while Golubic realised the single chance given her.
The surprising overall dominance was against everything displayed in a tight second set and Sam Stosur found herself in the final, winning 2-6 7-6(4) 6-1.
- Sofia Kenin (3) defeated Anna Blinkova 7-6(2) 4-6 6-1, and will play Samantha Stosur in the final.
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