Angelique Kerber has reached the semi-finals of the WTA Premier Eastbourne tournament. The German number one beat Daria Kasatkina from Russia in three sets in the last eight and is now playing Caroline Wozniacki from Denmark.
In the end Angelique Kerber made it unnecessarily exciting once again: twice the two-time major winner served to win the match against Daria Kasatkina, twice the 21-year-old Russian made her comeback. However, after 2:07 hours Kerber left the field as the winner in the last quarter-finals of the day after 6:1, 6;7 (3) and 7:6 (3).
Kerber paid back for the defeat she suffered against Kasatkina in Indian Wells in March, when she won 6-0 and 6-2, but on grass Kerber proved to be the more aggressive player from the start, even as those with a clearer match schedule and more self-confidence.
The first round did not even last 25 minutes, Kasatkina could only write for the first time in the fifth game. Kasatkina got into the match better in the second set, took Kerbers serve for 3-2, but the German countered with the equaliser for 4-4.
However, the Russian took the lead again with a break, Kerber had to come back, this time for 6-6. 7-3 Kasatkina was the better player in the short decision.
The 21-year-old also made a better start in the decision, quickly leading 4-2, but Kerber looked insecure at the time, but fought back in her own manner – and still missed twice the chance to finish the match with her own service at 5-4 and 6-5. In the final tiebreak, however, Kerber prevailed as the more solid and focused player, finishing the match with a full forehand shot along the line.
In the semi-final round, top seed Caroline Wozniacki is now waiting for Angelique Kerber. Kerber leads against the Dane in the previous duels with 8:6 wins, on grass the two have played against each other for the time being: 2014 in Eastbourne.
Agnieszka Radwanska from Poland and the Belarusian surprise woman Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated Karolina Pliskova from the Czech Republic in the round of last year’s last eight winners, will play the second semi-final.
Here the single tableau in Eastbourne