The semifinals at the 2015 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships have been set on Thursday, as the final four players have emerged out of what started as a 64-player draw on Sunday.
The afternoon session was all about good friends from the same country facing each other, since the first two quarterfinals paired up friends to go head to head for their semifinal spot.
The first duo was Lucie Safarova & Karolina Pliskova. Ever since making it through the ranks on the WTA tour, Pliskova has been friends with Lucie Safarova but there was no love lost on the court today. Pliskova forced her way into the semifinals after what was an exciting three-set match with a key second-set tiebreak that went in Pliskova’s favour.
Following the two Czechs, it was time for some Spanish tennis action. Antwerp finalist Carla Suarez Navarro & rising star Garbine Muguruza had to decide which of the two Spaniards would be making the semifinals. After losing the first set tiebreak 6-7, Muguruza regrouped and managed to punch her ticket for the semifinals, embracing her friend at the net after the match. Both Spaniards later went on to play doubles after their singles encounter, proving that players can both be friends and rivals if the draw happens to make them face each other.
In the evening session, Simona Halep continued her dominant 2015 Dubai run, getting past world #9 Ekaterina Makarova in what was a very exciting three-set encounter.
The final spot in the Dubai semifinals was up for grabs between Caroline Wozniacki & Italy’s Flavia Pennetta, both of which have played some long & grueling matches on their way into the quarterfinals. The final match of the day was a pretty clear-cut affair this time around though, as Wozniacki got past the Italian in straight sets, not even allowing Pennetta a single game in the second set.
Emman Damian, that’s not possible because they’re playing each other in the semis. Pliskova is really rocking! She’s the first to make the finals. Let’s see who the second finalist will be.
I’m predicting a Caro vs Simona final. A lot of seeds fell unexpectedly early in Dubai. Both took advantage of the open draw this year. May the best woman win!
Sorry typo. It should be Karo* Pliskova. Haha. Yeah, Pliskova is really playing well. I think she’ll set another career high after this tournament. Another Simona Halep in thr making?