WOZNIACKI, BENCIC, RADWANSKA, STEPHENS SET FOR SEMI-FINALS AT THE AEGON INTERNATIONAL EASTBOURNE

Written by: Staff on 25th June 2015

WOZNIACKI, BENCIC, RADWANSKA, STEPHENS SET FOR SEMI-FINALS AT THE AEGON INTERNATIONAL EASTBOURNE

A general view of the second round match between Heather Watson of Great Britain and Elina Svitolina of Ukraine on day three of the Aegon International at Devonshire Park on June 23, 2015 in Eastbourne, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images for LTA) |

WOZNIACKI, BENCIC, RADWANSKA, STEPHENS SET FOR SEMI-FINALS

One of the most exciting rising stars on the WTA tour – and the youngest player in the main draw – Belinda Bencic (SUI), has progressed to the semi-finals at the Aegon International, beating Eastbourne’s Johanna Konta 2-6 6-0 6-3.

A fast start by Konta saw the Swiss teen drop a set for the first time this week, but Bencic upped the tempo in the second and third sets to win through to Friday’s semi-finals.

“I’m excited to be through to the finals here in Eastbourne,” said Bencic after the close-fought match. “There was a lot of home town support for Jo but the atmosphere for both of us was amazing out there.”

Konta was gracious in defeat. “She definitely stepped up her level – she played very well,” said the British No.2. I have been struggling with some things this week, and it kind of caught up to me today. All credit to her. She played tough and solid when she needed to,” she said.

After an encouraging tournament, with wins over three opponents ranked 100 places above her, Konta thanked the fans for their role in her success. “I have had a very blessed week – to be able to play in front of such a loud and supportive crowd. It’s humbling and it’s a pleasure. You know, I enjoyed every single match I went out there to play, and I’m just very proud of my effort this week and my ability to deal with whatever situation was presented to me on court

Bencic will face Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) in the semi-finals after the 2009 Aegon International Eastbourne champion beat Andrea Petkovic 7-5 6-1. The No.2 seed Wozniacki was pushed in the first set by the German who has looked sharp all week, but she took control of the match in the second set to reach her fourth semi-final at Devonshire Park.

“It’s been a lot of years since 2009 and I have improved a lot,” said Wozniacki. “I’m excited to play tomorrow, to get another semi-final here and it’s nice to have got a few more matches under my belt before Wimbledon.

“I don’t care who the favourite is, and who is not the favourite. It’s all about winning the match you have in front of you. I just want to win everything I play,” she said.

Sloane Stephens (USA) received a walk over into the semi-finals at Devonshire Park after lucky loser’ Daria Gavrilova (RUS), who has enjoyed some big wins in Eastbourne this week, withdrew ahead of the match due to an abdominal strain injury.

“I woke up this morning and thought it would be fine but I tested it in practice and felt some pain. It isn’t good enough to play a player like Sloane where you need to be 100 percent.” Gavrilova said.

“I was very lucky to get into the main draw here and I had some great wins. It’s my first time here at the Aegon International Eastbourne and it’s been a great experience at the tournament. The people and the fans are very nice and I’m confident I will be back next year,” she said.

Stephens will face 2008 Aegon International champion Agnieszka Radwanska in Friday’s first semi-final on Centre Court (not before 1pm) after she beat Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) 6-2 6-2 in their quarter-final. Moving one step closer to her second Aegon International Eastbourne final, Radwanska has been strong all week and holds a 3-0 career head-to-head record over Stephens.

Their match will be followed by Wozniacki vs Bencic with Yung-Jan Chan (TPE) and Jie Zheng (CHN) vs Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) and Elena Vesnina (RUS) rounding off the Day Six action.

Australia won the Grand Slam Nations Challenge over the USA with Great Britain coming a close third and France placing fourth at Devonshire Park after three days’ exciting action at Devonshire Park.

British co-captain Judy Murray said the first staging of the 18-and-under girls’ team event had been a valuable experience for all the players. “All the girls were looking to get grass court practice ahead of junior Wimbledon and to be able to do it where the sun is shining and the crowds are fantastic is the perfect situation for them,” said Murray.

“They’re rubbing shoulders with some of the best professional players in the world which is a great experience for them and it’s all about practice and preparation for Wimbledon juniors. To go into it with six matches on grass behind them going into Wimbledon is a big advantage.”

Play at the Aegon International Eastbourne is scheduled to begin at 11am on Friday with Martina Hingis (SUI) and Sania Mirza (IND) taking on Caroline Garcia (FRA) and Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) on Centre Court.

To purchase tickets visit: www.lta.org.uk/major-events/aegon-international-eastbourne/aegon-eastbourne-international-tickets/

Varvara Lepchenko of The USA hits a return during her first round match against Heather Watson of Great Britain on Day Two of the Aegon International at Devonshire Park on June 22, 2015 in Eastbourne, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images for LTA)

AEGON INTERNATIONAL – EASTBOURNE, GBR

$ 731,000.00

21 – 27 JUNE 2015

RESULTS – JUNE 25, 2015

Women’s

Singles – Quarterfinals

[2] C. Wozniacki (DEN) d [10] A. Petkovic (GER) 75 61

[9] A. Radwanska (POL) d T. Pironkova (BUL) 62 62

S. Stephens (USA) d [LL] D. Gavrilova (RUS) walkover (abdominal injury)

B. Bencic (SUI) d [WC] J. Konta (GBR) 26 60 63

Women’s

Doubles – Quarterfinals

[2] E. Makarova (RUS) / E. Vesnina (RUS) d C. Black (ZIM) / L. Raymond (USA) 75 75

Y. Chan (TPE) / J. Zheng (CHN) d J. Goerges (GER) / L. Hradecka (CZE) 63 36 11-9

ORDER OF PLAY – FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2015

CENTRE COURT start 11:00 am

[1] M. Hingis (SUI) / S. Mirza (IND) vs [4] C. Garcia (FRA) / K. Srebotnik (SLO)

Not Before 1:00 pm

S. Stephens (USA) vs [9] A. Radwanska (POL)

B. Bencic (SUI) vs [2] C. Wozniacki (DEN)

Y. Chan (TPE) / J. Zheng (CHN) vs [2] E. Makarova (RUS) / E. Vesnina (RUS)

For Results

http://www.wtatennis.com/scores-and-stats

For Draws

http://www.wtatennis.com/draws-and-schedule

For Match Notes/Head-to-Heads/Player List

http://www.wtatennis.com/press-center

www.es.wtatennis.com

Tournament Website

http://www.lta.org.uk/major-events/Aegon-International-Eastbourne/

Topics: AEGON International, Eastbourne, Grass tennis, Wta

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10sBalls_com says:

June 25, 2015 at 12:28 pm

@CaroWozniacki, @BelindaBencic, @ARadwanska, @sloanetweets SET FOR SEMI-FINALS AT THE #AegonInternational #Eastbourne http://t.co/v1Oepsmft0
Vamos_feli says:

June 25, 2015 at 12:36 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: @CaroWozniacki, @BelindaBencic, @ARadwanska, @sloanetweets SET FOR SEMI-FINALS AT THE #AegonInternational #Eastbourne htt…