Google News Porsche Tennis Grand Prix: Iga Swiatek ekes out a win; Ons Jabeur dominant in last-8
by ABBEY JOHNSON
Three of the four quarter-finals at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix on Friday saw the eventual winners make a comeback from a set down. Only Ons Jabeur won her quarter-final match-up in straight sets. In the first match of the day, second seed Aryna Sabalenka trailed her on-court rival and off-court friend, Paula Badosa 4-6, 2-4 before turning the match around and winning it, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
In the third set, it was Sabalenka’s turn to give up a 3-1 lead after being broken back. However, Badosa’s attempt at a comeback was thwarted in the end. The match lasted two hours and 30 minutes. Badosa had 10 aces across the match but she also hit nine double faults.
Sabalenka’s serve statistics were mellower with figures of just four aces, and five double faults. Following this win, the world no. 2’s now reached the semi-finals of the German event for the third year in a row.
The last two years she made it this far she also reached the final although she ended up coming second, to Ashleigh Barty and Iga Swiatek in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix: A slowish start for Iga Swiatek
Speaking of Swiatek, the reigning champion also encountered problems in her quarter-final against Karolina Pliskova.
Swiatek needed a little more than two hours to finish the contest 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 in her favour against the Czech. Swiatek won 72% of her first-serve points and as many percentage of points on return on Pliskova’s second serve.
The Pole saved six of nine break points she faced while converting six of 11 break points on Pliskova’s serve. Looking to make it to the final for the second year running, Swiatek will play third seed Ons Jabeur. The Tunisian had no problems against Beatriz Haddad Maia in the quarter-final and dropped just three games.
After an hour and eight minutes of play, Jabeur pocketed a 6-3, 6-0 win. Lastly, Anastasia Potapova also booked a place in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix semi-finals with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 upset over fourth seed Caroline Garcia.
Potapova will take on Sabalenka for a chance to reach her second final this year. Photo Credit: Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Twitter