WTA Bronx: Linette edges Muchova. Siniakova saves two MP's vs. Pera



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WTA Bronx: Linette edges Muchova. Siniakova saves two MP's vs. Pera
WTA Bronx: Linette edges Muchova. Siniakova saves two MP's vs. Pera (Provided by Tennis World USA)

The top seed Qiang Wang had to work hard to reach the semi-final in the Bronx, overcoming a bagel to beat a lucky loser Anna Blinkova 0-6, 6-1, 6-4 in an hour and 29 minutes for the best result since the end of 2018. Both players served at 71% but the returners had plenty of chances, with 19 break chances up for grabs in total.

Wang got broken five times and converted six opportunities on the other hand to cross the finish line first, recovering after a terrible opening set where she failed to win a game. After an excellent performance in the opening 25 minutes, the Russian lost ground in set number two, suffering four straight breaks to hand it to Wang who rattled off staggering 24 consecutive points in her games from the fourth game of set number two, opening a 5-2 lead in the decider with a break in game four before getting broken while serving for the victory at 5-3.

Blinkova gave her everything to stay in touch nut it was all over when Qiang secured another break in game ten, moving over the top and advancing into the first semi-final of the season. The struggling Italian Camila Giorgi has found the rhythm in the last couple of weeks, playing in the final in Washington and advancing into the semis here in the Bronx after a commanding 6-2, 6-1 victory over Alize Cornet in an hour.

It was the fourth win for the Italian in six encounters against the French player, saving the only break point she faced and taking half of the return points for four breaks from nine opportunities. From 2-2 in the opener, Camila grabbed four straight games for a 6-2, rattling off nine games in a row to open a 5-0 advantage in set number two before sealing the deal with a hold at 15 in game seven.

A qualifier Magda Linette prevailed against the 10th seed Karolina Muchova 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 in two hours and 47 minutes, crossing the finish line first after a tight battle that offered only one break of serve in the entire encounter!

Muchova lost seven points on serve in the opener, controlling the pace and taking the tie break 7-4 for an initial lead. Linette stayed competitive in the second set as well, earning a break in game five and fending off a break chance in the next game to forge the advantage, closing the set with a hold at 15 in game ten to secure the deciding set where she never experienced troubles behind the initial shot.

Muchova avoided a break in the seventh game to reach a tie break that Linette won 7-3 with four mini-breaks to advance and stay on the title course. In another thrilling match, the 5th seed Katerina Siniakova saved two match points at 4-6 in the second set tie break, scoring a 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 victory in two hours and 27 minutes for the second semi-final of the season.

Siniakova won one point more than Pera, with three breaks of serve on each side and a great chance for the American to clinch the win after a 6-4, 2-0 lead. The Czech broke back in the third game and they stayed neck and neck until the tie break, trailing 6-4 there before winning four straight points to emerge at the top.

Qiang Wang Camila Giorgi Alize Cornet