Defending champion:
Karolína Plíšková (5) who defeated Lesia Tsurenko 4-6 7-5 6-2
Semi final #1
Petra Kvitova v Madison Keys
The pair hadn’t met in competition since Beijing in 2016, where Kvitova won in three sets. Both were convincing in straight sets quarter final victories, so today’s semi final promised to be tight.
Kvitova served first, and with the exception of a forehand error, held with little trouble. Keys fought back from 0-30 with solid ground strokes but the errors leaked towards the end and Kvitova watched patiently as the score ticked over to 2-0.
A ripping return winner could have sparked something for Keys, but it didn’t, and Kvitova sailed along, consolidating her break, sealed with another winner.
Keys was on the board in the fourth game, and with a backhand down the line winner, produced two break points in the fifth. Kvitova saved both, and a third to ease ahead 4-1. Keys ran hard to reach a drop shot and put away a winner - Kvitova replied with a down the line pearler. A better drop shot from the fifth set paid dividends and when Keys sent one sailing long it was break point. Attacking the net helped save that one. The second break chance arrived with a Czech forehand dazzler, and after Keys found the net, 5-1 appeared on the scoreboard.
Serving for the set Kvitova received a Keys backhand winner, then contributed an unforced error. 0-30. A horrible forehand halfway up the net and three break points. A poor drop shot which Keys ran down with ease completed a terrible Czech game and one of the breaks was given up. 2-5 with Keys back at the line.
Drawing comfort from a notable drop in the standard of Kvitova’s tennis, Keys strode through the next service game almost unimpeded, finishing it off with a clean winner.
Kvitova began her second attempt to serve for the set much better, an ace bringing her within two points of the goal. Keys blew a golden chance at the net, and three set points resulted. One drifted by as a Czech forehand drifted long. The second disappeared when Keys hit a forehand winner. Deuce arrived once Kvitova hit a shot long and wide.
A fourth chance came on the back of a wayward Keys return. An American backhand was too long and Kvitova led 6-3.
Winners from both players highlighted the start of set two, but two were from Kvitova, so Keys immediately faced a break point. She saved it, and then a lucky break with the net produced a game point for her. This and another were wasted, and errors resulted in a second chance for Kvitova to pounce. Instead deuce was revisited. A promising beginning had degenerated into an error filled farce, and the finale was a broken serve - possibly a broken Keys.
Kvitova continued the folly with a double fault, but picked the pace up next point. Ultimately the game was easily won and 2-0 the lead.
A change came, and Keys was both the instigator and benefactor. The fourth game saw break point chances come, and Kvitova finally relent to the power shot making of Keys who levelled at 2-2. The fifth game gave Keys a lead for the first time in the match as she held serve, and the match was truly on.
Another break of the fifth seed and a Keys consolation had the American just a game away from a third set decider.
Kvitova, simply an error machine, faced a set point, and her forehand failure confirmed a second set triumph for Keys 6-2.
Kvitova appeared down for the count as a double fault donated a break of serve in the fourth game of set three to Keys. However, the fight was still there, and from 40-15, Keys lost her focus and games were back on serve. But behind in terms of score, Kvitova couldn’t bridge that gap, and with two break points, Keys ripped a cross court forehand to take a 4-2 advantage.
Holding serve was now a riddle for all, and Kvitova gained two chances to break in the seventh game. Both vanished though, and Keys appeared set to jump to a 5-2 grip on proceedings. Kvitova said no, and with a withering return down the line on her third opportunity, brought things back to 3-4.
Some blazing shot making and running all over the court from Madison Keys produced yet another service break and a 5-3 lead for the eighth seed.
A wild forehand landed long. 0-15.A backhand did likewise 0-30. Petra sent a forehand long 15-30. And another 30-30. A Keys forehand winner and match point. Kvitova’s next return landed long and Madison Keys won her way into the final 6-3 2-6 6-3.
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