Croatian Ana Konjuh edged last year’s runner-up Julia Goerges in the ASB Classic semis to book a spot in her second career final.
The 2015 Nottingham champion Konjuh went through the first set without dropping serve, while in the second set her percentage of saved break points was 0%, as Goerges always had big leads, despite Konjuh’s moments of brilliance at times and the fact that she served to level the set to 5-5. In the decider, the 19-year-old Konjuh overcame Goerges’ resistance and started by breaking the German’s serve, then kept the lead by saving five break points in the fourth game, going to 3-1, and eventually to a 6-3 4-6 6-3 triumph.
Konjuh will now rise from No.47 to No.36 in the WTA rankings, while the title would bring her to No.34.
In the final, Konjuh will face Lauren Davis, who advanced when seventh-seeded Jelena Ostapenko retired with a viral illness during their third set.
Fun fact: Guess who’s Konjuh’s first-round opponent at her upcoming tournament, the Hobart International. Julia Goerges!
Elsewhere… At the Brisbane International, fourth seed Garbine Muguruza retired from her semifinal against Alize Cornet, citing a right thigh injury, while at the Shenzhen Open Katerina Siniakova knocked out third seed Johanna Konta in the semifinals, 1-6 6-4 6-4. Moreover, our photographer Jimmie48 is already at the Apia International Sydney, shooting qualifying action and practice sessions, so you expect a lot of nice photos from the Premier-level tournament these days.
I know it’s a good start for Jule this year. Ana played good as well.
Emman Damian, semis are a good start, but last year she played the final at the tournament.