The semifinals of the 2014 BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open are set as four exciting matches continued what has been a very unpredictable event in Luxembourg on Thursday.
The first player to reach the round of the last four is Annika Beck, following a swift two-set victory over Austria’s Patricia Mayr-Achleitner. Luxembourg seems to be a special place for the young German, following her first-ever final against Caroline Wozniacki last year, Beck is again on track to end her season on a high.
The second quarterfinal between Mona Barthel & Kiki Bertens offered some mid-match drama. After Barthel captured the first set, Bertens took a tumble early into the second set.
The 23–year-old didn’t get up right away but required attention from the trainer, getting her knee taped up. Bertens opted to continue and finish the match, but the added limitation prevented the Dutch player from turning the match around.
The third match of the day saw Barbora Zahlavova Strycova and Johanna Larsson go head to head as the Czech continued what has been a very successful season for her, routinely beating the Swede in straight sets.
After her successful match, Zahlavova Strycova credited the great relationship with her coach for what is the best career year for the Czech player so far.
Speaking of Czech players, the European country is famous for being home to what seems to be an endless stream of WTA talents and the newest of them is Denisa Allertova.
After fighting her way into the main draw, the 19 year-old world #145 reached her first ever WTA semifinal on Friday by pulling an upset three-set victory over Varvara Lepchenko.
Just like the nearing Fed Cup final, the final stages in Luxembourg will be all about German-Czech duels as Annika Beck will be playing Denisa Allertova while Mona Barthel will take on Barbora Zhalavova Strycova on Saturday.
Will the Luxembourg final be an all-German or all-Czech affair? Will Barbora Zahlavova Strycova clinch her second WTA tour title or will the 2014 tournament have a first-time winner? Keep checking back to find out who will take home the 2014 BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open trophy!
