Defending champion Simona Halep will meet Kristina Mladenovic in the final of the 2017 Mutua Madrid Open in the Caja Magica on Saturday evening.
In the first semifinal, Romania’s Halep cruised past Latvian Anastasija Sevastova and became the only player in the history of the tournament to have reached the final three times. The 2014 runner-up and last year’s champion Halep reeled off five games in a row to win the first set and six games in a row from 3-0 down in the second to record a commanding 6-2 6-3 victory.
The Romanian will next play France’s Kristina Mladenovic, who made the final thanks to a straight-set win over doubles partner Svetlana Kuznetsova. Mladenovic continues a stunning 2017 that includes the St. Petersburg title and the final in Stuttgart just two weeks ago.
Should Mladenovic win the final tomorrow, she’ll take over the leading position in the Porsche Race to Singapore, ahead of Karolina Pliskova and Caroline Wozniacki.
MORE PHOTOS FROM THE MUTUA MADRID OPEN:
- Thursday: Halep, Sevastova, Mladenovic, Kuznetsova make the semifinals
- Wednesday: Kerber retires, Bouchard and Halep move on
- Tuesday: Halep surives, Cibulkova crashes out
- Monday: Bouchard shocks Sharapova
- Sunday: Sharapova sets up Bouchard clash
- Saturday: Bouchard & Pliskova move on, Keys crashes out
- Friday: Qualifying, main-draw ceremony, All Access Hour
- Thursday: Tie Break Tens exhibition featuring Sharapova, Halep, Keys, Kuznetsova, Radwanska, Puig
I believe Kiki will be a top 10 player before Wimbledon. She reached 4 finals already and she is on fire this clay court swing.