Julia Goerges adjusted to rain delays better than likable Latvian, Anastasija Sevastova, in the WTA Charleston semifinals.
Goerges used her industry to quell that sliced backhand weapon of Sevastova and take her opponent out of her rhythm. The German settled in better to secure a 7-6, 6-3 semifinal victory.
Sevastova races out after first rain Delay
A twenty minute delay to the start of the match looked to rile Goerges more than the Latvian. Signs of the irritability that is shown when things don’t go her way briefly appeared, but Sevastosa held serve to make a solid start. By racing to a 40-0 lead on Goerge’s serve, Sevastova plied on the pressure.
Goerges Settles Better After second Rain Delay
It was then that the German decided to play with more abandon and freed the forehand. Lucky net-chords and blinding forehands kept Goerges in a must win game. Win it she did, showing bravery and fight to keep the match level.
A rain interruption came after the eighth game, causing a next day resumption. Goerge’s 91% break points saved (10/11) against Sevastova’s 0% (0/1) shows that Sevastova had the better of the set, but sometimes you just gotta hang in there. A 7-6 marathon first set victory for Goerges, arguably against a great run of play, seemed to galvanize the German. Goerges found a deep hitting groove that unsettled her opponent. Sevastova’s confidence was shattered after the first set. Goerges held her nerve to take the 2nd set 6-3,and the match in straight sets.
Goerges’ Good Start on the Gray Clay
World #14, 29-year-old Julia Goerge’s looks in good shape at the start of the clay season. Arguably, Sevastova has reason to be disappointed with the result and could have taken control on the match. Clay court tennis is about that ability to battle and Goerges did that today. A good clay court season beckons for both of these players. Goerges will take great confidence from this victory over such a seasoned clay courter.
Clay Specialist Kiki Bertens Awaits in the Final
It’s almost as though the Dutch woman, Kiki Bertens, has come home in South Carolina. The clay specialist had to work hard to beat home favorite Madison Keys in three sets in the semis. The gutsy Bertens recovered from a break down at 4-5 and 5-6 in the final set, prevailing 6-4, 6-7, 7-6.
That said, despite having to save match point, Bertens’ overall range made her the worthy winner. 58% break points saved for Bertens against 38% for Keys shows that the Dutch woman held her nerve better at key stages.
Bertens holds the head-to-head advantage over her German rival 1-0. This is by courtesy of a win on clay: Nuremberg 2016. In preparation terms, advantage swings to Bertens, as her match finished first because of the weather affected schedule switch. That said, at 29 years old Goerges won’t be phased by this. A clay court spectacle of a final is in the offing.
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