WTA Palermo Open: Kontaveit defeats Martic, Ferro halts Giorgi’s run to set up Final’s clash
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WTA Palermo Ladies Open final
It will be between Anett Kontaveit, World No.22 and seeded No. 4 of the tournament, and Fiona Ferro, World No.53, the final of the WTA Palermo Ladies Open which is scheduled for Sunday.
Kontaveit routs Martic in straight sets
No.4 seed Anett Kontaveit has moved one step closer to her second WTA Tour title after dispatching Petra Martic 6-2, 6-4, at the Palermo Ladies’ Open.
The WTA World No.22, playing in her first semifinal since Stuttgart in April 2019, improved her record against Top 20 players in 2020 to 3-4, adding Martic to a list already including Belinda Bencic and Elina Svitolina.
Victory also represented some measure of revenge for a defeat suffered at the quarter final stage in Dubai, the pair’s only previous meeting.
The 24-year-old Estonian, who is closing in on her best ranking of No.14, dominated the opening set before fighting back from dropping her serve in the first game of the second to seal victory in 79 minutes.
“I felt like a played a very good match today,” she said.
“I was quite aggressive, consistent, and I served especially well in the first set. It got a bit close in the end, but I played a good game at 5-4 and I’m happy to be in the final.” she further added.
Martic praised her opponent’s quality, stating: “It was a tough one. I thought I didn’t play badly. I had a few chances I missed, and in the end that makes a difference. Anett played well, she played smart and was the better player today.”
Ten years after Kaia Kanepi (winner of the 2010 edition), another Estonian tennis player returns to the final at the Palermo Ladies Open.
For Anett Kontaveit this is the sixth career final in a WTA tournament, the first since Stuttgart 2019. On Monday, in the world ranking, she will rise to No. 20 in the WTA rankings, bypassing Angelique Kerber and Maria Sakkari.
Ferro puts an end to Giorgi’s adventure
Fiona Ferro is into her second career WTA final after coming back from a set down against Camila Giorgi.
Ferro recovered emphatically after dropping her first set of the tournament to an on-fire Giorgi who was looking to reach her first final on Italian soil. But Ferro turned the match around to seal a 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 victory and move into her first final of the year.
“I would have never won those kinds of matches two years ago,” Ferro reflected in her post-match press conference. “I used to focus a lot on my opponent when she was playing aggressive, and I didn’t find solutions. Today I’m very happy to be through because I managed to maybe focus more on my game and not on my emotions.” Ferro further said.
Despite the defeat, the participation in the tournament remains positive for Camila Giorgi. On Monday she will gain 18 positions in the WTA ranking, going from No. 89 to No. 71.
Ferro in the final against Kontaveit
Kontaveit awaits in the final, seeking her first title on clay. The pair will contest their second career meeting, although it will be their first WTA-level clash.
The Estonian owns the 1-0 head-to-head lead after defeating Ferro at an ITF event in 2016.
“It feels so good [to be in the final],” Ferro said.
“Right now I’m a little bit tired, but so is she. She’s a player who serves very well. I played her in France four years ago I think and I lost in three tight sets. The challenge is that she’s aggressive, she’s consistent and she serves well, so I will try to focus on my own game and be aggressive and try to play with my forehand. And we’ll see how it goes.” she concluded.
Also Read WTA Palermo Ladies Open: Martic marches towards the semis; Giorgi keeps Italian hopes alive
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Sanjay Sriram
(37 Articles Published)