Thursday was quarterfinals day in Dubai and the spectators at the Dubai Tennis Stadium got to follow four highly entertaining matches as the 2014 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships edge closer to their exciting conclusion.
The first match of the day saw Venus Williams make her way into the semifinals, besting Flavia Pennetta in two sets. Following her upset win over Agnieszka Radwanska, Pennetta was full of fight and confidence but fell short against the impressive level of play the two-time Dubai champion has shown all week.
The second pairing of the day, Caroline Wozniacki versus Sorana Cirstea, was a rather one-sided affair as the Romanian failed to repeat her impressive performance from her match against Sara Errani, giving the Danish former #1 little trouble on her way into the semi-finals.
Kicking off the night session was the world #1 as Serena Williams faced Jelena Jankovic. While the match itself wasn’t the most competitive duel, the pairing easily provided the most drama of the day.
A time violation warning on Jankovic’s serve set the Serbian off into a heated discussion, first with umpire Kader Nouni and later with Williams as the pairing exchanged some heated words at the net after the match.
The quarterfinal matches were wrapped up by Alize Cornet & Carla Suarez Navarro, the French advanced in two straightforward sets and will now face the near-impossible task of having to beat Serena Williams to make her first ever Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships final.
In the other semifinal, Caroline Wozniacki will be facing Venus Williams, a long-elusive matchup as both players last met six years ago with Venus leading the head-to-head comparison 4-0.
Jimmie48, it’s a pity the venue lost the Internet connection last night so you posted the gallery a bit late. This has been a great tournament for you. You’re steadily progressing in the direction of becoming a famous tennis photographer! 🙂 I’ve again shared the photos on my Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/womenstennis/ – in the Action Shots board.