It’s been a busy start to the season, with three WTA tournaments going on at the same time and Thursday was all about the quarterfinals. The Brisbane International had world No.1 Angelique Kerber kicked out by Elina Svitolina and second seed Dominika Cibulkova upset by Alize Cornet in an all-Lacoste encounter, at the Shenzhen Open top seed Agnieszka Radwanska fell to Alison Riske, while at the ASB Classic, the tournament we’ve followed this week, Julia Goerges sent home Caroline Wozniacki, the highest seed left in the draw after yesterday’s goodbyes of the Williams sisters.
After winning two matches on Wednesday, the world No.53 Goerges continued her inspired run in Auckland, although early into the match against the third-seeded Wozniacki it didn’t look like that would be the case.
Wozniacki convincingly won the first set and went a double break up in the second set, before last year’s runner-up Goerges stormed back by winning all the remaining games in the second set to take the match to the decider. Wozniacki didn’t despair for wasting the lead and even though the Dane went 5-1 down in the third set, the next three games increased the number next to her name on the scoreboard. Only on her second try to serve for the match did Goerges manage to clinch victory. Final result 1-6 6-3 6-4.
The German’s semifinal opponent will be eighth seed Ana Konjuh, who played just three games in her quarterfinal, as Naomi Osaka retired with a left wrist injury. The second semifinal will feature Lauren Davis, who upset fourth seed Barbora Strycova 6-1 7-6(4), and seventh seed Jelena Ostapenko, who ended the run of Serena Williams’ conqueror Madison Brengle, 7-5 6-3.
Jule will win this tournament for sure! She’s one of my favorites too.
Emman Damian, oh well, Konjuh was better this time.
@Emman Damian: here I agree almost completely, she is one of my favourites as well, but sadly, she didn’t ;).
But she hardly sent Wozniacki “home”, I guess all the losers go to Australia and start practising! Is this a contemporary picture of Caroline, Marija? I like the green outfit.
Claire, “sent home” is a metaphoric expression, plus, players’ homes are actually on the road 🙂 Yes, it’s a photo from Auckland. She wore that dress last year as well, but it wasn’t as promoted as other Stella’s designs, so it’s no wonder that you haven’t noticed it until now.
I know it’s a metaphoric expression, Marija, just sounded a bit funny when so far away. Thanks anyway for the photos and information.