After posting Karen Helf’s semifinal report from the Miami Open grounds, I’d like to share my view of the first women’s semifinal at the tournament. Karen missed the first set of the match, while I watched it on TV, so I can complete the picture about the match.
World No.19 Svetlana Kuznetsova defeated Timea Bacsinszky, ranked one spot below her, 7-5 6-3 in the Miami Open semifinals, and is now just one step away from winning her first title at the tournament since 2006.
In the first set, Bacsinszky was overall even a better player in many departments, including her differential of winners to unforced errors (Kuznetsova -6, Bacsinszky +2), but her good moments were not distributed well, especially on break points, as she converted none of five, and Kuznetsova took the first set 7-5.
In the second set Bacsinszky finally managed to break Kuznetsova, right away in the opening game, but Kuznetsova broke right back and soon afterwards earned a 3-1 lead. Even though Bacsinszky managed to record another break and approach Kuznetsova by one game, the Swiss never succeeded in taking over the momentum of the set.
In the entire match Kuznetsova made 21 winners to 30 unforced errors, while Bacsinszky was more successful in that department, hitting 25 winners to 30 unforced errors. However, Bacsinszky converted just two of 14 break points, while Kuznetsova converted four out of seven. A way better performance!
As you read in Karen’s report, next up for Kuznetsova will be the winner of the evening semifinal played between Victoria Azarenka and Angelique Kerber.
Timea certainly had her chances to break, but Svetlana played well on these points. Marija, same thing happened in a 4th round match on the men’s side where your man Novak Djokovic held off 14 of 15 break points from the up and comer Dominic Thiem. The only break point that “Home” Thiem won was given to him courtesy of a Djokovic double fault. Hate to say it, but I was rooting for the young Austrian.
The other women’s semifinal will be a good one between Vika and Angelique. I am getting my popcorn ready for this one!
Jim, the point system makes tennis interesting and not solely the shots. It often happens that a player who won more points loses the match, although that was not the case in this match.