What’s the one thing you can count on when you’ve got an spring outdoor tournament in the southeastern United States? Rain and stormy weather. That’s just what the Volvo Car Open in Charleston experienced on Saturday, pushing the remainder of the first semifinal and the entire second semifinal to Sunday. Weather (pardon the pun) they liked it or not, the remaining players were in for some double-duty.
In the completion of the first semi, No.5 seed Julia Goerges pushed past No.8 seed Anastasija Sevastova 7-6(5) 6-3. The match had been suspended Saturday at 4-4, and it took just 25 minutes to complete once play was resumed.
In the second Sunday semi, No.12 seed Kiki Bertens surprised seventh seed Madison Keys, saving a match point in the third set before prevailing in tiebreaker of a marathon than ran 2 hours and 42 minutes.
“I didn’t feel tired at all… I wanted to give as much energy as I could for the final!” – @kikibertens reflects on her marathon win over Keys before playing the #VolvoCarOpen final. ???? pic.twitter.com/hVi2IqegDN
— Volvo Car Open (@VolvoCarOpen) April 8, 2018
That gave us the final between Bertens and Goerges. From the score, it would appear that Julia didn’t have quite enough gas in the tank to take the court once more (she admitted that the semi took a lot of mental effort out of her), while Kiki bounced back out fully energized, winning the match 6-2 6-1 in just under an hour.
Bertens broke Goerges’ serve twice for a 3-1 lead and never looked back. Look how the Dutch player earned a set point and one of eight break points she had in the match.
The 26-year-old Bertens said on Postandcourier.com:
It’s just unbelievable. I think I cannot really realize it yet, but I’m just so happy and proud, I think, of myself.
Nice moment at the net between @kikibertens @juliagoerges after a long day @VolvoCarOpen. pic.twitter.com/89vXTvBeud
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) April 8, 2018
It was a great run for Bertens during the week — dropping just one set along the way. This is her fifth tour title and first Premier-level one.
Game, Set, Championship! ✅???????? @kikibertens ???????? wins back to back matches to take home her biggest career title! Def. #Goerges 6-2, 6-1 #VolvoCarOpen pic.twitter.com/PaOPULRdd5
— Volvo Car Open (@VolvoCarOpen) April 8, 2018
Goerges was gracious in defeat, and the Charleston fans will see her again:
“I’ve really enjoyed Charleston and I can’t wait to come back!” – @juliagoerges reflects on her #VolvoCarOpen final run. ???????? pic.twitter.com/S8Yb61oYDY
— Volvo Car Open (@VolvoCarOpen) April 8, 2018
This is a guest post by Brinke Guthrie, who may become a regular contributor at Women’s Tennis Blog.
