The WTA tournaments in Nuremberg and Strasbourg are entering the decisive phase. Meanwhile, Dominika Cibulkova is waiting for the final in France, Kiki Bertens has to put off defending her title in Nuremberg.
The Slovak Cibulkova seems to come in time to the French Open at least in the old form. Cibulkova had to deal with Mihaela Buzarnescu in the semi-final in Strasbourg and won in just three sets.
The 2016 WTA final winner fought back after a 2:6 set deficit and equalled with a narrow 7:6 (5). In the decisive round, Cibulkova was clearly the superior player and made it to the final with a 6:1.
There she will meet Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who benefited from one of Ashleigh Barty’s assignments. At 4:6 and 0:1, the Australian could not go any further.
In Nuremberg some women had to work twice today and finished quarter finals and semi-finals on the same day, as rain showers during the week had repeatedly postponed the schedule.
Above all, Alison Riske showed strong nerves and fitness in Franconia. The US player first beat Sorana Cirstea, who had to give up 6-2, 5-7 and 0-1.
Afterwards Riske Kirsten Flipkens challenged for a place in the final. Flipkens stopped defending champion Kiki Bertens in a three-set marathon just a few hours earlier. The 2:38 hours and the 5:7, 6:3 and 7:6 (3), however, consumed the strength of the 32-year-old Belgian, who clearly lost against Riske 1:6 and 3:6.
In the final, Riske will now face Johanna Larson from Sweden, who beat Ketrina Siniakova in three sets 4:6, 6:3 and 6:1.