ITF: Julia Grabher defeats Barbara Haas in the semi-final of Sao Paolo

Julia Grabher won the Austrian women’s duel at the ITF tournament in Sao Paolo: Grabher beat Barbara Haas in three sets in the semi-final.

Grabher prevailed in the Brazilian metropolis 6-2,6-7 (4) and 6-3, beating Slovenian Tamara Zidansek in the final, who also beat tournament favourite Mariana Duque-Marino in three sets. Grabher is sixth in Sao Paolo, Haas, the best ranked Austrian in the WTA rankings, is second.

Haas had already had serious problems in the quarter-finals with Andrea Gamiz from Venezuela, but only won the tie-break of the third set. Julia Grabher, on the other hand, was able to save energy and won against the favourite Spaniard Silvia Soler-Espinosa with 6:3 and 6:2.