Sweden’s Johanna Larsson won her first and only WTA title last year at her home tournament in Bastad and now the world No.82 is just two match wins away from repeating the feat at the beautiful seaside setting of the Ericsson Open, having defeated No.4 seed Annika Beck in today’s quarterfinals.
The eighth-seeded Larsson opened the encounter with a 3-1 deficit and then after a string of good games failed to serve out the set at 5-4, but the defending champion broke back and edged the set 7-5. The second set was a comfortable ride for the Swede, 6-1.
Larsson’s semifinal opponent will be qualifier Katerina Siniakova, who upset second seed Sara Errani 7-6(2) 6-3. The other semifinal will be an all-German affair, as Julia Goerges faces sixth seed Laura Siegemund.
OUR PHOTOS FROM BASTAD:
- Thursday: Larsson moves into quarterfinals
- Wednesday: Top seed Kerber avoids early upset
- Tuesday: First-round action & players’ party fun
- Monday: The Ericsson Open kicks off at the Swedish seaside
I find it amazing that there aren’t many Swedish tennis players anymore, especially on the mens side. Bjorn Borg made in popular and then Edberg, Wilander,Enqvist, and Norman played. I suppose that Annika Sorenstam made golf more appealing for the Swedish ladies as Anna Nordqvist is a big time golfer now.