Kudermetova in the last four

Fifth semi-final of the season for Veronika Kudermetova! After Dubai, Istanbul, s’Hertogenbosch and San Jose, the 25-year-old Russian reached the last four in Tokyo by beating this Friday the one who is ranked three rows behind her, Beatriz Haddad Maia (16th). After a very tight match for two sets, she finally won 6-7, 7-6, 6-1 in 3:17. Author of 11 aces, Kudermetova nevertheless had 10 break points to defend during this meeting. She started the game badly by finding herself trailing 5-2, then having to save two set points at 5-3, but she managed to come back to play a tie-break, finally losing 7-4. In the second round, the scenario was completely reversed : it was the Russian who led 5-2 and missed a set point at 5-4, before seeing the Brazilian equalize at 5-5, and finally beat her 8-6 in the tie-break. It was therefore necessary to play a third set, and this time Kudermetova largely dominated, winning it 6-1 with only four points lost on her face-off. It is therefore she who will face the Chinese Zhang or the American Liu.